The ongoing dispute over water distribution in the Senate has intensified tensions between the government and coalition partner Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), further fueled by Minister Aleem Khan’s controversial remarks regarding past infrastructure failures .
The debate took place on Tuesday in a session chaired by Deputy Chairman Senate, Syed Ali Khan; where PPP leaders challenged the government’s water distribution figures, saying they contradicted the ground reality.
PPP Senator Sherry Rehman has accused the government of building new canals on the Indus River, which she said would deprive Sindh province of its fair share of water.
In response, Senator Irfan Siddiqui of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) dismissed the objections as unfounded, arguing that the water distribution was in accordance with the established formula.
Water Resources Minister Khawaja Muddasir Malik presented the government’s official water distribution figures, emphasizing that no one’s share has been reduced, and argued that all new canals were part of the government’s share allocated.
Rehman, representing the PPP, moved an adjournment motion, accusing the government of withholding water from Sindh, particularly in light of the government’s plans to alter water flows in the Cholistani desert in order to cultivate more arable land.
She highlighted the protests across Sindh, pointing out that despite 25 years of reports on water shortage from IRSA (Indus River System Authority), Balochistan and Sindh had expressed concerns over the situation, all highlighting the challenges facing Karachi, where residents struggle to access even a basic supply of water.
She also mentioned that no meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had taken place in the last 11 months, planning for regular CCI meetings every three months. She urged the government to clarify its position on the water issue.
Siddiqui responded by saying that the water distribution formula was being followed and any objection to the construction of the canal was baseless.
During the session, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Shibli Faraz expressed support for the PPP’s stand, criticizing the lack of ICC meetings on such pressing issues.
Meanwhile, PPP senators expressed concerns over the decrease in frequency of PIA flights to South Punjab and the closure of airports, pointing out that 20 PIA personnel had flown for free on a flight to Paris. The case gave rise to an investigation, which was accepted by the Minister of Justice.
Following a request from PPP members to refer the issue of water distribution to a committee, Vice-President Syed Ali Khan rejected the motion, saying the minister had already responded after a two-and-a-half-hour discussion.
Protests and apologies following Aleem Khan’s remarks
The session also saw protests from PPP members following comments made by Aleem Khan, regarding the role of the PPP in road infrastructure projects.
Khan’s comments, in which he criticized the previous government’s failure to complete the M-6 highway project, were met with strong opposition from PPP members.
In response to the protests, Khan apologized, stating that he held all political leaders, including the PPP, PML-N and PTI, in high esteem.
He reiterated that the government’s commitment to construct the M-6 highway 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 the highway would benefit the whole of Pakistan, not just Sindh.
Meanwhile, PPP senator Manzoor Ahmed took issue with Khan’s comments, pointing out that the M-6 highway had not been a priority under previous governments.
Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri also criticized Khan for his lack of awareness about regional issues in Balochistan, where daily deaths were being reported due to lack of effective governance.