Senate Session Marked by Opposition to Canal Project

Tensions escalated in the Senate on Tuesday as opposition parties voiced strong objections to the projected canal development in Punjab, igniting a vigorous discussion on the first day of the parliamentary year.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) members demonstratively walked out, condemning the initiative as deeply controversial.

Concurrently, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) accused the PPP of political duplicity regarding the canals, leading to heated exchanges between the parties over prioritizing their respective resolutions.

Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar sought to de-escalate the situation by suggesting potential multi-party talks on the matter. He assured the assembly that the canal issue would be addressed constitutionally, legally, and in collaboration with the Sindh government.

On Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directive, Tarar noted that a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and Advisor Rana Sanaullah Khan has engaged with the Sindh government, guaranteeing a peaceful resolution without unilateral actions.

The law minister criticized PTI legislators’ protests, claiming they were futile after electoral setbacks in Sindh’s Tharparkar by-elections.

PTI’s Saifullah Abro, representing Larkana, requested a discussion on his previously submitted resolution concerning the canals. However, PPP’s Sherry Rehman insisted her party’s resolution be considered first.

Despite these demands and protests, Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani initially preferred to proceed with the question hour. PTI members protested vociferously, gathering near the Chairman’s podium.

They criticized PPP, with PTI senator Falak Naz labeling PPP leadership as insincere. In response, PPP senator Shahadat Awan accused Imran Khan of financial misconduct, brandishing a watch and pen in the House and referring to him as a ‘watch-thief’.

PPP legislators then walked out over the canal issue, and Shahadat Awan questioned the quorum during the Law Minister’s response. The House was found to have sufficient members present upon counting.

Following this, Opposition Leader Syed Shibli Faraz asserted that Sindh’s system was paralyzed due to canal concerns, accusing PPP of inconsistency. His speech was interrupted by another quorum call, resulting in adjournment until Friday at 10:30 am due to insufficient attendance (19 members).

Protests Erupt in Sindh Over Canal Construction

Amid widespread discontent in Sindh regarding the construction of six new Indus River canals, Prime Minister’s Political Advisor Sanaullah has directly contacted opposing political figures.

The protests have now spanned five days, reaching Sukkur, Nawabshah, and Daharki, disrupting transportation with road blockages.

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 discuss the crisis.

Sanaullah expressed PM Shehbaz’s desire to engage directly with Sindh’s political leadership. He conveyed that the prime minister seeks a direct dialogue regarding the canal issue.

Zain, Palijo, and Soomro emphasized the widespread anger and anxiety throughout Sindh regarding the canal construction decision, noting that the federal government’s actions have caused significant frustration.

Sanaullah reiterated the federal government’s commitment to resolving the matter through discussions, assuring them that the prime minister aims to find a solution through discussion.

He suggested that if Sindh’s political leaders form a unified delegation, the federal government would be open to negotiations.

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

Transportation Disrupted by Protests

Railway tracks were blocked near Nawabshah by civil society and nationalists, inconveniencing passengers traveling to Punjab.

Protests against the canal project in Sindh entered their fifth day, with a major sit-in at the Babarloi Bypass causing significant disruptions.

Students, Pakistan Medical Association members, business representatives, teachers, and civil society members joined the Lawyers’ Action Committee’s sit-in. The Sindh and District Bar Associations boycotted court proceedings, vowing continued protests until the canal project is abandoned.

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

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

Advocate Sajid Hussain Mahesar of Awami Tehreek stated that the canal and corporate farming projects threaten Sindh’s existence. They criticized PML-N for pursuing an agenda detrimental to Pakistan and the federation, and accused PPP of siding with undemocratic forces, drawing parallels to their actions in 1971.

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