Face-off between allies over IRSA tweaks

ISLAMABAD:

The National Assembly on Monday witnessed another face-off between the ruling PML-N and its key ally, the PPP, as MPs belonging to the latter expressed concerns about proposed changes in the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) law.

They also conveyed to the ruling party PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's stern message that any changes in the law will be made "over his dead body".

This was the second time within a fortnight that the two major parliamentary parties came face-to-face. Just a few days ago, PPP lawmakers had lashed out at the PML-N over water issues.

Then senior PPP leader, Khursheed Shah, had unequivocally said: A decision needs to be made if we need 48 lakh acres of land or Pakistan.

Back then, PPPP lawmakers had spoken on news in the media about 4.8 million acres of land being given for corporate farming resulting in diversion of water to the consternation of local farmers and people.

On Monday, PPP legislator Syed Naveed Qamar drew attention to diversion of water of the lower riparian by the upper riparian and modification in the IRSA law.

The terms, upper and lower riparian, apply only when the upper riparian controls the river flows, as in the case of India and Pakistan. The water accord was signed by the provinces and later approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

PPP MNA Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur said the IRSA ordinance was introduced during the interim government's tenure and when it was sent to the president for his assent it was returned with a note that Sindh had raised objections to the ordinance.

He said the ordinance has already lapsed but efforts are being made to revive it again. Also, Talpur said, propaganda was also being spread that the move has the backing of the presidency.

"I clarify on the floor of the assembly that the PPP not only condemns it but our chairman has said in no uncertain words: over my dead body," Talpur said, adding "I think I should convey these feelings."

Under new changes, he said the PM would appoint IRSA's chairman and a special secretary would establish a parallel secretariat. He added that a tactical committee would then be established, which will regulate, oversee and monitor distribution of water.

All of this will be headed by a bureaucrat, he said, recalling a bureaucrat named Jamaat Ali Shah who in 2010 had allegedly helped India build dams by keeping mum over the issues. Later on, he said, the bureaucrat went abroad and Pakistan had to face huge losses. Because of the Nimoo Bazgo Dam, he added, India's Leh cantonment and Siachen base camp got sustained electricity supply.

He questioned the need to amend the accord, further asking "if this is being done by the friends of the country or any enemy of the country is busy doing it." "We will not tolerate theft of our water under any circumstances," he concluded.

PPP lawmaker Mir Shabbir Bijrani said Sindh had accepted the accord under compulsion and abided by it till now but it was being said now that the federal government was making changes in it and appointing a bureaucrat as its permanent head. He said it was a violation of the accord as it was decided that the chairman will come from provinces on rotation basis. Bijrani said that the federal government only had a monitoring role and distribution of water was left to the provinces.

PPP MNA Sadiq Ali Memon said the federal government-nominated chairman will follow what the government will say, adding he can co-opt any members and these things will lead to creating many doubts for the lower riparian.

Memon said that the matter merits discussion at the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and should be settled with the consent of all the provinces.

Tarar responds

Responding to the concerns expressed by PPP lawmakers, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar urged the deputy speaker to refer the matter to the committee concerned so that it could be thoroughly discussed and debated upon as the country's food basket and GDP was linked with such issues.

The information minister said the committee may hold detailed discussion on the issue and reach a conclusion on it.

Subsequently, NA Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah referred the matter to the water committee, saying the lawmakers should discuss the issue in the committee.

Sherry calls for clarification

Meanwhile, PPP's Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Senator Sherry Rehman submitted a Calling Attention notice to the Senate Secretariat regarding the proposed amendments to the IRSA Act, 1992, seeking clarification from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

The notice submitted to the Senate Secretariat asked the Minister of Water Resources to clarify the reports about proposed changes to the IRSA Act, saying such changes could critically undermine the spirit of the accord by diluting provincial concerns and violating the constitutional intent of the CCI.

It added that the Sindh member of IRSA has opposed the draft amendments, which has caused unrest in Sindh, especially since the province is already at a disadvantage in interprovincial water distribution and with Indus upstream projects.

"There are strong reservations in Sindh regarding this matter," Senator Sherry stated.

Sherry added that there is growing concern that "the proposed amendments would undermine interprovincial harmony and further strain the federation." To avoid further speculation and conflict, she said, the federal government should seek public input and address the concerns of Sindh before proceeding with the amendments.