Deadly breaches in canals, rivers: Supreme Court hints at forming probe commission

The Supreme Court on Thursday hinted at forming a commission to probe into breaches allegedly made in the canals and rivers to divert devastating floodwater to save agriculture farms of influential people of Sindh and Balochistan.
The names of Shamsul Mulk, former chairman Wapda from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was suggested as head of the Commission along with AK Lodhi former secretary Sindh, Khawaja Zaheeruddin from Punjab and Fateh Khan from Balochistan as its members.
Advocate General Sindh Yousuf Leghari raised objection over the name of Shamsul Mulk for his views on Kalabagh Dam. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the court will not go by their rejection, however, the names of proposed person would be considered in the chamber.
At the outset of proceedings, reports on behalf of provincial chief secretaries including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Punjab were submitted before the court. Advocate General Yousuf Leghari, Additional advocate general Punjab Qaiser Hussain Khadim submitted the reports.
According to the report, the flood inflicted a loss of Rs 16 billion to the province of Sindh. The Chief Justice observed that these reports would help in the probe. The bench also directed AG Sindh to provide a copy of report to Marvi Memon.
The bench was hearing a suo motu case taken over appeals contained in letters written by deputy chairman Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali, Fakahrudidn G. Ebrahim, and Marvi Memon, member National Assembly from PML-Q, over diversion of flood waters causing huge losses. In addition, Applications of Dr Asad Laghari, Muhammad Rahim Baloch and Zahida Thebo advocate have also been clubbed with the human rights case. The court adjourned the matter for December 14.