Khuhro questions IRSA's silence on 'theft' of 30,000 cusecs water

Former MQM senator and PTI leader Maulana Tanveerul Haq Thanvi joins PPP

KARACHI:

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh President Nisar Khuhro accused the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Tuesday of maintaining silence over the alleged theft of 30,000 cusecs of Sindh's water by Punjab.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with former senator Maulana Tanveerul Haq Thanvi - who quit the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to join the PPP - Khuhro claimed water inflow from the Taunsa Barrage, Punjab, was 130,000 cusecs.

However, he added that the Guddu Barrage was receiving only 100,000 cusecs - a shortage of 30,000 cusecs.

"IRSA is a silent spectator to the theft of 30,000 cusecs of water,” the PPP leader stated while commenting on the water shortage faced by the rivers in Sindh.

'PPP last hope of masses'

Speaking about Thanvi’s decision to join the PPP, Khuhro said that his party welcomed the former senator to its ranks. He said that the PPP was the last hope of the masses, as it believed in people being the "source of [political] power".

He said the federal parliamentary system was about moving forward by tolerating each other. According to the PPP leader, maligning politics and politicians had become common practice in the country.

Read Sindh questions impartiality of IRSA teams

He further added that those who wanted to topple the Sindh government have already been rejected by the people of Sindh and will now be rejected by people across the country.

Responding to the remarks made by Ghulam Arbab Rahim, the PPP leader said that, "Rahim should first talk about the number of parties he has switched so far."

Alluding to Arbab Rahim’s nomination as PM’s aide on Sindh affairs, he said Prime Minister Imran Khan was underminig the position of Sindh Opposition Leader Haleem Adil Sheikh, which should be a wake-up call for the latter.

"Those questioning the PPP’s 13-year-long tenure in Sindh should also hold accountable the people who have ruled the province for at least 40 years," Khuhro quipped.

Speaking to reporters, Thanvi said that he decided to join the PPP to serve Sindh and its people. He said he was hopeful that the PPP will make use of his skills. He said in addition to the religious services, he was ready to serve people through politics as well.

The former senator added that the PML-N was embroiled in its internal rifts, while he was not active in the PTI for some time now.

Thanvi was appointed as a senator on the ticket of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). However, he quit the MQM to join the PTI a few months ago.