Sindh Assembly adopts resolution against appointment of Irsa member from Punjab

The Sindh Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Tuesday against the federal government's move to appoint its member for Irsa from Punjab, saying Sindh being a lower riparian should represent the federation. On a private members day, opposition and treasury jointly tabled a resolution and adopted it unanimously asking the federal government to revisit its decision and let Sindh retain the federal Irsa representation. The federal government's move to appoint its member for Irsa from Punjab has raised objections and reservations from Sindh.

"Irsa member should be from Sindh," Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah told the legislature while debating the resolution and termed the move 'sad'. He recalled that it has been the first such appointment in which Sindh was ruled out from representation since 1999. "I condemn it," he said, asking the opposition to show unity on the issue and raise the concern with a single voice.

GDE legislator Husnain Mirza said, "Any anti-Sindh decision will not be accepted." PTI's Haleem Adil Shaikh said his party supports the resolution to fight for Sindh's just rights, assuring the treasury of showing resistance on CJ Canal issue together. MQM MPA Kunwar Naveed extended support to the resolution, saying that the lower riparian state has the primary right on the river water. PPP's Ghanwar Ali Khan demanded of the federal government to appoint Sindh member for Irsa. He said the federal government continues with its unjust policies towards Sindh. "We accept the resolution," opposition leader in the house, Firdous Shamim Naqvi of PTI said.

The house also adopted a resolution unanimously against the sudden exclusion of Sarfraz Ahmed from Pakistan cricket team. MQM's Muhammad Hussain tabled the resolution, saying that a lobby was active against Sarfraz to remove him. Hussain said he moved the resolution after Punjab Assembly tabled a motion to remove Sarfraz from captaincy. Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani called removal as 'sad' and demanded of the PCB to restore Sarfraz to captaincy and retain him in the team.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019