House Proceedings: Balochistan demands water dues from Sindh

QUETTA:

The Balochistan Assembly unanimously approved three resolutions on Thursday on the issue of of Sindh water dues, pending royalty from the Hubco and Uch power plant as well as the outstanding payments to oil and gas companies.

The proceedings began with an adjournment motion on the suicide committed by a college girl from Muslim Bagh. Home Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti claimed the government has already taken notice, citing the formation of a committee to uncover the facts of the case.

Balochistan Assembly member Syed Liaqat Ali presented a resolution demanding payment from the Sindh government over the use of Balochistan’s water. He stated that Balochistan is not provided its due share of river waters and every province must pay for the use of other province’s water resources. He said that Sindh’s royalty amounts to roughly Rs20 billion which should be demanded from the province.

Presenting another resolution, Syed Liaquat Ali said that according to Article 157 of the Constitution, Uch Power Plant and Hubco’s power plants have to forward royalties to the Balochistan government which are not being paid. Therefore the resolution recommended that royalty should be demanded from the concerned parties.

A third resolution was presented demanding payment of a mandatory 10 percent profit share payable to the Balochistan province by oil and gas companies. This share was to be forwarded to the concerned areas for the welfare of poor masses.

All three resolutions were unanimously passed by the assembly.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2016.