Sindh says no to new Punjab canals
Describes request as unacceptable because flood canal is ready. PHOTO: FILE
Sindh Assembly (SA) on Monday adopted a resolution against the Punjab government plan of constructing controversial Great Thal canal phase 2 and Jalalpur canal diverting water from River Indus in order to irrigate barren land in the province.
The joint resolution was moved by Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro and Mohammad Hussain of Muttahida Qaumi Movement -Pakistan (MQM-P). Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) that has been coalition partner of PTI government in the centre, surprisingly supported the resolution condemning the decision of busing more canals on river Indus. However, PTI's main oppostion party in the assembly opposed the resolution and after brief protest walked out of the session.
"This house expresses grave concerns over the construction of Jalalpur Canal and Chaubara Branch Canal Project, a Greater Thal Canal (Phase-II) and resolves that the process and construction of above project must be stopped immediately in the best interest of people of Sindh," the resolution said adding that the projects are being initiated by the federal government.
Moving the resolution, Sindh Irrigation Minister said his department had already protested over the decision and wrote letters to relevant authorities.
"The provincial government objected it at ECNEC meeting and other forums on legal grounds citing the reasons that the decision is against Water Apportionment Accord 1991 and the IRSA Act 1992," the resolution said and referred to Sindh Assembly's two resolution passed unanimously in 2003 against the construction of Great Thal Canal.
"They are going to irrigate two million acres land in Punjab with these schemes. We are already suffering because of severe water shortage and with these schemes, thousands of acres of land in Sindh will be barren," Shoro said adding that more than 3 million scares of land in Sindh has already been infertile because of the construction of barrages and canals by Punjab.
Mohammad Hussain of MQM-P, one of the movers of the resolution, whose party has an alliance with federal government, said, "We have differences with the PPP government over governance issue, but will support on all issues in the best interest of people of Sindh."
Read More: Faisalabad canals to be de-silted
He said, "The construction of canals and barrages on Indus River is serious issues. The projects must not be initiated until the consent of Sindh government."
Nand Kumar Goklani of GDA was of the view that his party would not comprise with PTI government on major burning issues specially water, natural resources and census etc. "We support the resolution and reject Thal Canal extension project and other canals on River Indus," he said adding that GDA has already taken stand on burning issues of Sindh at all relevant forums.
"We extend our support for a cause of Sindh, but provincial government is discriminating against opposition members by not releasing development funds to them," he lamented.
Former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah also spoke on the issue and informed the house about federal government's attempt to steal water and natural resources. "It is Sindh that runs the entire country by generating more resources and producing the oil and gas, but unfortunately due share is not given to it from divisible pool and water is diverted by illegal canals," he said adding that IRSA has never implemented Water Acord 1991 under which required and decided quantity of water should be released into downstream Kotri.
Earlier, as the session started, PTI members protested in the house on not giving them time to speak on various issues.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2021.