Sindh cabinet objetcs to IRSA chief appointment

The Sindh cabinet has on Wednesday expressed reservations on the recent appointment of Zafar Mahmood, a known advocate for the controversial Kalabagh Dam, as Chairman of the Indus Rivers System Authority (IRSA).

"The cabinet believes that IRSA chairman should be selected from among the members of the provinces or the federal government. Appointing someone from outside would be a clear violation of the water accord," stated the first cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Zafar Mahmood, the newly appointed IRSA chairman, has been an outspoken supporter of Kalabagh Dam, dismissing the concerns of the provinces like Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan. His appointment has raised objections, not only from the public but also from writers, civil society members, and even leaders within the ruling PPP.

"Zafar Mahmood has consistently rejected Sindh and smaller provinces' concerns over the controversial dam, especially Kalabagh. How can one accept this appointment?" questioned PPP leader and former senator Sassi Palejo. PPP leaders in Sindh have vowed to approach the federal government to reconsider the decision.

In addition to discussing the IRSA chairman's appointment, the cabinet set a wheat procurement target of 900,000 tons at Rs4,000 per 40kg. Attendees at the cabinet meeting included provincial ministers, advisors, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, advocate general, prosecutor general, and others.

Read: IRSA body defers decision on wafer for Kharif

Minister of Food Jam Khan Shoro suggested a wheat target of 800,000 tons based on the department's available stock of 400,000 tons and 800,000 bags of bardana. After deliberations, the department decided on a target of 900,000 tons for the crop 2023-24 at a support price of Rs4,000 per 40 kg. The CM directed the food department to procure 100,000 bags/bardana and mobilise food department teams immediately.

Karachi Commissioner Saleem Rajput updated the cabinet on efforts to control prices of edible items, particularly during Ramadan, highlighting 1500 raids, 1,150 cases registered, 14 shops sealed, and a fine recovery of Rs7.14 million. "I want the notified prices to be ensured in the market," the CM said and added raids against the hoarders must continue.

Home Minister Zia Lanjar and IG Riffat Mukhtar, while briefing the cabinet on law and order, said that from January 1 to March 12, 2024, some 274 murders, 84 cases of kidnapping for ransom and 30 cases of extortion were reported in the province.

Police registered 2,921 cases of crime against persons, 6,486 against property, 4,517 local and special law, 163 accidents, and 4,643 miscellaneous. The cabinet was told that compared to last year street crime cases in Karachi decreased by 4.18 per cent. At this, the CM said that the crime rates vary month to month and night has come down, but the impact of its reduction has not been felt by the people of this city. He directed the home minister to make the SHOs and SSPs of the area accountable.

It may be noted that 7,822 cases of street crime in Karachi were recorded in January 2024, 5,876 in February and 2,234 in March (till 12 March).

The cabinet was told that out of 78 cases of kidnapping, 49 have been recovered and 29 were still outstanding. Out of 29 kidnapping cases, six belong to Ghotki, nine to Shikarpur, and 14 to Kashmore. It was pointed out that the kidnapping cases have increased due to tribal feuds. At this, the CM directed the home minister to involve a few ministers, district administration and the police to resolve tribal feuds at the earliest.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 14^th, 2024.