The debate started in the house following a resolution moved by Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Dr Sikander Mandhro. In his resolution, which was supported by members belonging to the treasury and the opposition benches, he requested the Sindh government approach the centre to ask it to abide strictly by the decision to appoint Irsa’s federal member from Sindh.
“It was decided on July 10, 2010 that the federal member of the authority will be nominated from Sindh. But we have [now] come to know that a resolution was passed by Punjab government on January 11 to have the decision altered,” he said.
Mandhro said that each province has one member in Irsa and it has been decided that the fifth member, the federal member, would be nominated from the lower riparian, Sindh.
However, the Punjab Assembly has demanded the federal member be appointed either from Islamabad or Azad Kashmir. “This is injustice and we will protest to get our right.”
Meanwhile, Sindh Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah said the Punjab government has been controlling the country’s water resources and since 1999 to 2009, there was hegemony of the province on Irsa. Referring to the Water Accord 1991, he said Sindh had expressed its reservation, but later it was decided that 10 million acre feet of water would be released downstream Kotri. “But this was never implemented.”
Shazia Marri, the provincial power minister, said that if Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) claims to be a federal party - it makes up the provincial government of Punjab - it should prove its claim by avoiding confrontation among provinces. The Punjab Assembly should reconsider its resolution, she added. In every country, the people living in the lower-riparian areas have exclusive rights on water, but here the situation is totally different, said Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Shoaib Bukhari.
Meanwhile, Provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Mahtab Dahar said the Sindh government has forwarded three names for the nomination of Irsa’s federal member.
Strengthening bunds
The Sindh Assembly passed a resolution on Thursday, requesting the federal government to issue funds to strengthen river embankments. The resolution was moved by Irrigation Minister Dahar.
Bill introduced
The Benazir Bhutto University, Shaheed Benazirabad (Amendment Bill) 2011 was introduced during Thursday’s session. Later, the speaker adjourned the session till Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2011.
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