Population census results get no CCI sanction

A meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Sunday was unable to approve the final results of Population Census conducted last year across the country after a gap of 20 years without a third- party audit. Sources said that CCI meeting presided over by the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi left the decision of third-party audit and approval of final results for the next government.
The brief discussion on the matter ended with a decision that as there was insufficient time the approval of final results of sixth population census must be left to the next government. Source said that data of exercise conducted across the country will not be available to the general public; it will be used for policymaking and distribution of resources among the provinces.
The CCI was given a detailed presentation by the Ministry of Water Resources on availability of water resources in the country and its distribution among various provinces as per the Water Apportionment Accord 1991. Upon conclusion of the briefing, the meeting decided to constitute a committee headed by Attorney General for Pakistan and one representative from each province to look into the issues and to present its recommendations to the next CCI meeting.
The elected representatives from Sindh have been raising their concerns over unjust distribution of water among the provinces with allegations that federal government is not implementing the Water Accord of 1991. During the ongoing session of the National Assembly, members of Pakistan People's Party also raised the matter on the floor of the House and drew the attention of the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. The government was accused of violating the Constitution.
Their contention is that the Sindh province is getting a lesser share than promised in the 1991 Water Accord. Minister of water and power was also accused of not providing accurate figures.
In this background, Sindh Chief Minister is said to have raised the matter during the Council of Common Interests meeting which after detailed discussion necessitated formation of committee to look into the issue and submit a report to the next meeting of the CCI. An official said that next meeting is unlikely during the tenure of the present government expiring on May 31, 2018.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Sind Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, Chief Secretaries of the provinces and senior officials.