Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) presented on Thursday a resolution to the National Assembly that opposes the construction of new Channels of the Indo River under the green initiative of Pakistan, citing serious concerns of Sindh.
The resolution was presented by the opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan and signed by the Leaders of the Sartaj Gul party, Ali Muhammad Khan and Mujahid Khan.
The resolution demanded an immediate suspension of the Cholistan channel project until the concerns raised by Sindh are addressed through constitutional mechanisms.
The party requested an emergency meeting of the Common Interest Council (CCI) within 15 days to guarantee an inclusive consultation between the provinces.
PTI also demanded a neutral audit of the water availability certification of the Indo River System authority (IRSA), which will be completed within 60 days.
PTI insists that the distribution of water is described in the 1991 water agreement must be applied before launching any new channel project, especially ensuring the participation of SNDH of 48.76 million acres-fo and preserving the ecological balance of the Delta del Indo.
The resolution also urged public audiences and transparent decision making with active contributions from the representatives of Sindh, civil society and affected communities.
The channel project, opened in February, has caused tensions between Sindh and Punjab. The Sindh Assembly approved a unanimous resolution against the initiative in March.
