ISLAMABAD, APR 22: PPP lawmakers staged a walkout of the Senate session on Tuesday in protest against the contentious canal project amid an ongoing dispute with coalition ally PML-N.
Chief of the Army Staff Gen Asim Munir and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the ambitious Cholistan project to irrigate south Punjab’s lands on February 15 amid public uproar and strong reservations in Sindh. The Sindh Assembly also passed a unanimous resolution against the project in March.
The past few months have seen nationwide protests from political parties, including the ruling coalition ally PPP, and residents against the proposed project.
Soon after today’s Senate session began, PPP lawmakers gathered in front of the dais in protest before staging a walkout. Amid the growing clamour, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said any decision regarding the canal project would be made in line with the Constitution and laws of the country, through mutual consultation, especially with coalition partners, including the PPP and the Sindh government.
He said that Political Adviser Rana Sanaullah had formally contacted the Sindh government and PPP leadership to assure them that the federal government was committed to resolving the issue through constitutional means. “The decision is clear, nothing will be forced,” he added.
Tarar urged PPP lawmakers to take part in the parliamentary proceedings, pointing out that they too had submitted a resolution and a call-to-attention notice regarding the issue. “Let’s sit together and address the matter through proper parliamentary channels,” he said.
The minister stressed that the government was ready to answer questions and hold dialogue and had no intention of bypassing the Constitution or ignoring its allies.
