Removal of encroachments along Indus River: Supreme Court told Sindh planning to amend Irrigation Act

The Supreme Court was informed on Thursday that Sindh government was planning to make some amendments to Irrigation Act to remove encroachments in catchment areas of Indus River and canals after which it would be a criminal offence.
A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing pleas filed by PML-Q MNA Marvi Memon and others over non-implementation of Flood Commission report and unauthorised diversion of floodwater and alleged breaches in embankments of barrages and canals during the last year flood by the influential people to save their lands.
During the course of hearing the bench expressed displeasure over non-implementation of Flood Commission's report and directed Attorney General Moulvi Anwarul Haq to examine the Commission's report and response of provinces over it. The AGP was directed to inform the court on next hearing that to what extent the report of the commission was implemented.
The court also directed the provinces to submit compliance report on the proposals, recommended by the Flood Commission. Additional Secretary Irrigation Sindh, Aslam Ansari told the bench that provincial government was taking effective measures for removing encroachments from the catchment's areas of Indus River and canals, however, some people were showing resistance. The court asked him to provide names of such people who were not co-operating in the process.
Advocate General Sindh Fateh Muhammad Malik told the bench that recent rains caused severe destruction in the province. However, he assured the court that the provincial government was trying its best to give relief to the people. The CJP justice noted that millions of people were badly affected during the recent flood in Sindh, but nobody took serious measures for their rehabilitation. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain noted that till to-date, the flood-affected people were on roads seeking relief.
Advocate General Punjab Khawaja Haris told the court that although there were encroachments in many areas, no political figure including Khosa family was involved in these encroachments. Advocate General Balochistan Amanullah Kunrani told the court that there was no river in Balochistan, thus there were no such encroachments. Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa told the court that the report of Flood Commission had been implemented in the province to the maximum extent. The court adjourned hearing for three weeks.