KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday stayed the certificate issued by the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) about the water availability for the construction of canals in the river system and sought reply from the federal government by April 18.
The bench heard a petition filed against the current composition of Irsa as well as the water availability certificate issued by the regulator for the construction of the canals.
During the hearing, the lawyer for the petitioner stated that at present there was no federal member of Irsa from Sindh therefore the composition of the water regulator was illegal.
The lawyer further stated that Irsa issued a water certificate for the construction of the Cholistan and Thal canals on January 25. The federal government sought time to submit its response. On that the court issued stay order against the certificate and sought a detailed reply from the federal government by April 18.
The proposed construction of the canals has triggered strong reaction in Sindh as protests have erupted across the province in recent weeks. Civil society groups, farmers, and political activists have taken to the streets, warning that the projects could deepen water scarcity in Sindh.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro called the court’s order a historic decision. He reiterated the provincial government’s demand to appoint a proper Sindh representative to Irsa and cancel the canal projects.
#SHC #stays #IRSA #canal #water #certificate
