Canals case: SHC tells Sindh, Centre to safeguard national unity
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The Sindh High Court building. — SHC Website/File
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KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday called on both provincial and federal governments to ensure that national unity is not affected as a dispute over the new canal project is underway.
The court observed a petition challenging the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) water availability certificate for planned canals in Thal and Cholistan.
The regulatory body had approved the supply of water to the Cholistan Canal System Project, and despite opposition from Sindh, the government had issued a water availability certificate.
Under approval, Punjab was allowed to construct the Cholistan Canal Project, and according to the IRSA, Solmanki Headworks provides access to 450,000 acre feet of water, which is called “an unfair move” for Sindh.
On January 25, the certificate was challenged by the applicant’s lawyer, who claims that the formation of the IRSA itself was illegal.
At the last hearing, the SHC kept the authority approval for the construction of the canals and sought response from the federal government to the matter.
During today’s hearing, IRSA Secretary, Sindh Advocate General, Additional Attorney General, and others appeared before the court.
The court questioned whether a federal member belonging to Sindh has been appointed in the IRSA, to which the AAG replied that there was no such direction in the court order. However, Justice Faisal Kamal Alam remarked that the court order already exists.
The SHC inquired why the court order has not yet been implemented.
On this, the AAG called for more time to respond to the matter, adding that the appeal in the Supreme Court has been dismissed due to non -pursuit. He said he was still looking for some court orders and documents.
The court remarked, “You know the current situation better than us,” the court gave remarks, and emphasizing the importance of “national unity” and requested a final resolution in the matter.
The court also asked whether government officials had realized the sensitivity of the issue.
On this, the petitioner’s lawyer said that the headquarters of the IRSA had been shifted from Lahore to Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Sindh AG has maintained that the current synthesis of IRSA has affected the decision -making options.
The IRSA secretary said that under the court’s decision, the appointment of a member was not in his power, and that the headquarters was transferred under an ordinance.
The petitioner’s lawyer alleged that the share of Sindh’s water had diminished.
The court remarked that it would not take further action than implementing judicial orders.
The court asked if there was any work being done on the canals at present. In response to the inquiry, the AAG said that all the work has been stopped after the order of the court.
During the hearing, the count emphasized that national unity should be protected and maintained as a top priority, and considered the issue “not normal”. It states that the federal government will be given time, but only if judicial orders have been implemented.
After that, the SHC directed Sindh and federal governments to ensure that national unity would not be harmed. He also reiterated that a federal member from Sindh should be appointed in the IRSA as per the court order.
The court remarked, “Legal amendments should be made if necessary to resolve this issue permanently.”
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till April 29, and adjourned the hearing, and sought response from the federal government till date.
It should be noted that the Cholistan Canal Project has led to a dispute between the federal and provincial governments since the Center has announced the construction of six canals on the Indus River to irrigate the desert.
The project was clearly rejected by its central ally, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and other Sindh nationalist parties.
According to reports, according to official sources, the cost of the Cholistan Canal system is estimated at Rs 211.4 billion and through this project, 400,000 acres of land can be brought under cultivation.
Almost all political and religious parties, nationalist groups and civil society organizations have held mass rallies against the controversial plan.
The party, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has repeatedly expressed reservations over the project, President Asif Ali Zardari has warned the government that some of its unilateral policies are causing “severe pressure” on the federation.
