ISLAMABAD: Tensions ran high in the Senate on Tuesday as lawmakers from the PPP, alongside opposition parties PTI and JUI-F, staged a protest against the federal government’s controversial canal project. The uproar began when PTI lawmaker Saifullah Abro requested Senate Chairman Yousuf Raza Gillani’s permission to speak on the matter of the canal project, citing ongoing protests in Sindh. Abro’s demand was for a discussion on the issue, given that the province had been protesting for days.
However, Gillani, a member of the PPP, suggested that the matter be discussed after the question hour. In defiance, Abro sat in protest in front of the speaker’s podium. His action prompted PPP senators to rise from their seats, chanting “theft of water, unacceptable.” As tensions escalated, Senate Chairman Gillani urged opposition leader PTI’s Shibli Faraz to address the issue in consultation with PPP’s parliamentary leader, Sherry Rehman.
This proposal was rejected, and the PPP senators staged a walkout in protest. Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar assured that the canal issue would be addressed thoroughly in due time. He emphasized that no decisions would be made without thorough discussion.
Amidst this, Gillani pointed out that quorum had been raised in the house. However, PTI members disputed this, leading the chairman to confirm that quorum was indeed met. As the session proceeded, Shibli Faraz criticized the PPP’s stance, accusing them of hypocrisy regarding the canal project. He reminded the house that President Asif Ali Zardari had approved the project under the Green Pakistan Initiative in June 2024 but later expressed opposition to it.
The session was again interrupted when a lack of quorum was pointed out, and despite an attempt to conduct a headcount, the quorum was found lacking. The chairman, unable to proceed, adjourned the session until 10:30am on Friday.
The disruption highlighted the deep divisions over the canal project, with opposition parties determined to challenge it while the government struggles to manage the political fallout.
