Senate Session Marked by Canal Project Opposition

The Senate’s recent session was marked by significant discord as opposition legislators voiced strong objections to the proposed canal development in Punjab. This disagreement ignited a vigorous discussion as the new parliamentary year commenced.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members showed their disagreement by staging a walkout, publicly condemning the initiative as extremely contentious.

Concurrently, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accused PPP of engaging in political duplicity regarding the canals. This accusation led to a heated exchange as each party wanted to prioritize their respective resolutions on the matter.

Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar sought to de-escalate the situation by suggesting that multi-party consultations might be conducted regarding the issue. He assured the assembly that the canal issue would be addressed according to constitutional and legal guidelines, with input from the Sindh government.

Tarar clarified that, following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Advisor Rana Sanaullah Khan engaged with the Sindh government, promising a peaceful resolution and confirming that no actions would be imposed.

The Law Minister criticized the protesting PTI legislators, stating they were resorting to pointless protests after suffering defeats on various fronts, including their electoral loss in the Tharparkar by-polls.

PTI’s Saifullah Abro, representing Larkana, sought a discussion on his previously submitted resolution regarding the canals. However, PPP Parliamentary Leader Sherry Rehman insisted that her party’s resolution should be considered first.

Despite these demands and demonstrations, Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani initially chose to proceed with the question hour rather than addressing the contentious issue. In response, PTI members protested vocally, gathering before the Chairman’s podium.

PTI members voiced their criticism of PPP, with Senator Falak Naz calling PPP leaders hypocritical. PPP senator Shahadat Awan retaliated by accusing Imran Khan of financial misconduct, brandishing a watch and pen as symbols.

PPP legislators walked out in response to the canal dispute. Shahadat Awan then questioned the quorum during the Law Minister’s response to PPP and PTI concerns, but an official count confirmed the assembly was adequately attended.

Following the quorum verification, Opposition Leader Syed Shibli Faraz described a state of paralysis in Sindh, attributing it to the canal issue. He asserted that PPP’s position on the matter was inconsistent and insincere.

Shibli Faraz’s speech was interrupted by another quorum challenge, which led to the adjournment of the session until Friday at 10:30 am, due to insufficient attendance with only 19 members present.

Amid escalating discontent across Sindh over the planned construction of six new canals on the Indus River, Prime Minister’s Political Advisor Sanaullah has started direct communication with political figures opposing the project.

Protests against the canal project have now entered their fifth day, extending to Sukkur, Nawabshah, and Daharki, where road closures have hindered transportation.

The PML-N leader contacted Syed Zain Shah of Sindh United Party, Ayaz Latif Palijo of Qaumi Awami Tehreek (QAT), and Rashid Mahmood Soomro of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Sindh, to address the growing crisis.

Sanaullah communicated PM Shehbaz’s wish to meet with Sindh’s political leaders in person.

“The prime minister wants to directly discuss the canal issue with you,” Sanaullah conveyed. In response, Zain, Palijo, and Soomro expressed the widespread feeling throughout Sindh.

“There is significant anger and concern in Sindh due to the decision to construct the canals,” they stated, noting, “the federal government’s decision has created considerable frustration in Sindh.”

Sanaullah reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to resolving the issue through dialogue. “The prime minister is seeking a resolution through discussion,” he assured.

He proposed that if Sindh’s political leadership established a representative delegation, the federal government would consider negotiations.

However, Palijo clarified that Sindh’s stance remains firm unless the federal government retracts its decision.

Separately, civil society and nationalists blocked railway tracks near Nawabshah, creating difficulties for passengers traveling to Punjab.

Furthermore, protests against the canal project persisted, with a significant sit-in at the Babarloi Bypass causing major disruptions.

Students, medical professionals, business representatives, educators, and civil society members joined the Lawyers’ Action Committee’s sit-in. The Sindh Bar and District Bar Associations have also suspended court activities, pledging continued protests until the canal project is abandoned.

The Lawyers’ Action Committee, led by Advocate Aamir Warraich and Barrister Sarfraz Maitlo, announced plans to block train services after the initial 72-hour sit-in.

Additionally, workers from Awami Tehreek and Sindhyani Tehreek joined the sit-in at Babarloi Bypass, arriving from various cities including Dadu, Hyderabad, Larkana, Qambar-Shahdadkot, Sukkur, Naushahro Feroze, and Badin.

Addressing the protesters, Advocate Sajid Hussain Mahesar from Awami Tehreek denounced the canals and corporate farming as threats to Sindh’s integrity. They accused PML-N of pursuing divisive policies and criticized PPP for supporting undemocratic forces, drawing parallels to their actions in 1971.

A protest march by the Save Indus Students Alliance, along with the Karachi Bachao Tehreek, commenced at Teen Talwar and proceeded towards Fowara Chowk, with Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr. also participating.