Pakistan govt told not to 'play with fire' on Indus water issue
Debate in Pakistan Senate Over Indus River Water Diversion for Corporate Farming
In Islamabad, a heated debate erupted in the Pakistan Senate over the government's plan to divert water from the Indus River for corporate farming. Lawmakers urged that the issue be addressed at the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Sherry Rehman, Vice President of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), criticized the proposal to build six new canals without consulting stakeholders. She expressed concerns about potential water shortages in Sindh and demanded clarity from the government.
Rehman argued that the project could displace 20 million people and harm Sindh's agriculture. Opposition Leader Syed Shibli Faraz questioned why PPP was complaining, as they are part of the ruling coalition. He emphasized the need for the CCI to resolve inter-provincial issues.
Senator Kamran Murtaza of JUI-F stated there would be no objections if surplus water was available, but noted existing shortages under the 1991 Water Accord. PPP Senator Jam Saifullah Khan warned of serious repercussions if the canal construction proceeded unilaterally.
PML-N Senator Irfan Siddiqui supported Punjab's right to use its water share for canal construction. PTI's Senator Ali Zafar highlighted national water scarcity issues. Water Resources Minister Musadik Malik dismissed opposition claims, clarifying that no new constructions are planned on the Indus River. He announced an upcoming CCI meeting to address the concerns.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistan Senate
The Pakistan Senate is like a big meeting place where important people in Pakistan talk about and make decisions on laws and issues affecting the country. It's similar to the Rajya Sabha in India.
Indus River
The Indus River is a very long river that flows through Pakistan. It is very important because it provides water for drinking, farming, and other uses.
Corporate Farming
Corporate farming means big companies owning and running farms, instead of small family farmers. These companies use advanced technology and methods to grow crops on a large scale.
Sherry Rehman
Sherry Rehman is a politician in Pakistan. She is a member of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and often speaks about important issues in the country.
PPP
PPP stands for Pakistan People's Party. It is one of the major political parties in Pakistan, similar to how Congress or BJP are major parties in India.
Sindh
Sindh is a province in Pakistan, like a state in India. It is located in the southeastern part of the country and has Karachi, a big city, as its capital.
1991 Water Accord
The 1991 Water Accord is an agreement in Pakistan about how water from rivers should be shared among its provinces. It's like a rulebook to make sure everyone gets their fair share of water.
CCI
CCI stands for Council of Common Interests. It is a group in Pakistan that helps solve problems between the federal government and the provinces, like a team that makes sure everyone agrees on important issues.
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