PPP, PML-N lock horns in Senate over Sindh's water rights

The ongoing water distribution dispute in Senate has intensified tensions between the government and coalition partner Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), further fueled by controversial remarks from Minister Aleem Khan regarding past infrastructure failures.

The debate took place during a session on Tuesday chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Syed Ali Khan; where the PPP leaders challenged the government's water distribution figures, claiming they were at odds with ground realities.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman accused the government of constructing new canals on the Indus River, which she argued would deprive Sindh province of its fair share of water.

In response, Senator Irfan Siddiqui from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) dismissed the objections as unfounded, arguing that the water distribution was in line with the established formula.

Minister for Water Resources Khawaja Muddasir Malik presented the government's official water distribution figures, emphasizing that no one's share was reduced, and argued that any new canals were part of the allocated share.

Rehman, representing the PPP, raised a motion of adjournment, accusing the government of withholding water from Sindh, particularly in light of the government's plans to alter water flows in the Cholistani desert to bring more arable land under cultivation.

She highlighted protests across Sindh, pointing out that despite the 25-year-long water scarcity reports by IRSA (Indus River System Authority), both Balochistan and Sindh had raised concerns about the situation as she underscored the challenges faced by Karachi, where residents are struggling to access even basic water supplies.

She also mentioned that no meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had been held in the past 11 months, calling for regular CCI meetings every three months. She urged the government to clarify its stance on the water issue.

Siddiqui responded by asserting that the water distribution formula was being followed and that any objections to canal construction were baseless.

In the session, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Shibli Faraz expressed support for the PPP’s stance, criticising the lack of CCI meetings on such pressing issues.

Meanwhile, PPP senators raised concerns about the decreasing frequency of PIA flights to southern Punjab and the closure of airports, highlighting that 20 PIA staff members had flown free on a flight to Paris. The issue prompted an inquiry, which was accepted by the law minister.

Following a request from PPP members to refer the water distribution issue to a committee, Deputy Chairman Syed Ali Khan rejected the motion, stating that the Minister had already responded after a two-and-a-half-hour discussion.

Protests and apologies over Aleem Khan's remarks

The session also saw protests from PPP members following comments made by Aleem Khan, regarding the PPP’s role in road infrastructure projects.

Khan’s comments, in which he criticised the previous government’s failure to complete the M-6 motorway project, were met with strong opposition from PPP members.

In response to the protests, Khan apologised, stating that he held all political leaders, including PPP, PML-N, and PTI, in high regard.

He reiterated that the government’s commitment to building the M-6 motorway from Sukkur to Karachi was still on track, with detailed designs and cost estimates already completed.

He assured the Senate that construction would begin in 2025, and that the motorway would benefit all of Pakistan, not just Sindh.

Meanwhile, PPP Senator Manzoor Ahmed took issue with Khan’s comments, pointing out that the M-6 motorway had not been a priority during previous governments.

Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri also criticised Khan for his lack of awareness regarding regional issues in Balochistan, where daily fatalities were being reported due to the absence of effective governance.