Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda on Wednesday accused the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of stealing water share of Sindh province by shutting telemeters on verbal orders. Responding to a calling attention notice regarding non-provision of due water share to Sindh province in accordance with the 1991 Accord, moved by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA Nawab Muhammad Yousaf Talpur in the National Assembly, Vawda accused that the previous federal government had been stealing the share of water of Sindh by violating the 1991 Accord.
The remarks of the minister caused uproar and heated words were exchanged between members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the House. Harsh words were also exchanged between the minister and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on water issue.
The minister claimed that water telemeters were deliberately closed by the previous regime under Nawaz Sharif in an attempt to deprive Sindh and Balochistan of their shares of water.
Vawda alleged that the telemeters had been shut down after the issuance of verbal orders, and that the supply of water to the province was being measured manually. He alleged that the previous government robbed the rights of another province and stole its water.
"I am trying to resolve the water issue with the collaboration of Sindh government. We will resolve it on war footing with justice. I will proceed shoulder to shoulder with the Sindh government on this issue. I will meet Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. I will also visit along with my team to other provinces," he said.
About water shortage issue in Karachi, the minister said, "There is 58 percent theft of water in Karachi city and we have to curb it."
He said that the third party audit would be conducted on the theft of water in Karachi. "We will sit with the Sindh government to address the issue of water theft in Karachi." He said that there is no proper mechanism to stop water theft.
Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi responded to the comments made by Vawda saying that the minister had alleged that water share of Sindh and Balochistan was being stolen and given to Punjab, which is a serious allegation.
He said that a special committee of the House should be constituted to probe the allegations or the matter should be sent to the relevant standing committee for deliberation. He said that it should be found out on whose orders water of the two provinces was stolen and given to Punjab. He said that the committee should present a comprehensive report in the House within one month.
"We also have a lot to say, but the respect of the House should be maintained," he said.
Vawda rejecting the proposal of forming a committee said that he would himself present a report on the matter in the House. He added that there would be no compromise on any sort of theft. He said that the government has inherited the issue of stolen water.
He alleged that the PML-N had committed thefts in all organisations, to which Abbasi responded: "Look at his tone and his choice of words."
He said if Vawda uses the word 'thief' again, he would call him and his father the same. The former prime minister alleged, "Those who stole the election" are using the word 'theft' in every conversation in an attempt to distract from their own actions."
During the exchange of words between the PML-N and PTI lawmakers, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed jumped in and also accused the opposition of being "certified thieves."
Saeed demanded if there was rigging in the election, it should be proved. He added that everyone knew who had been engaged in rigging the previous election.
The PLM-N members raised a ruckus on the remarks of the minister and said that they should also be given an opportunity to speak and began chanting slogans in favour of their party while Vawda was speaking.
Vawda, once again, joined in, saying even if Abbasi called his father a thief then he would not remain silent.
While speaking, Saeed said that all PML-N leaders and their family members are either arrested or absconding.
In the Panama Papers case, Saeed said, every member of the Sharif family had shifted blame onto each other, and in the end, the blame was shifted to the late Sharif patriarch.
He said, "Those who looted the country and those who destroyed institutions will be held accountable. Stop us if you can. We have to change Pakistan and strengthen institutions."
While responding to the communication minister, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah said, "If you keep terming us thieves then the opposition will make noise."
"Prime Minister Imran Khan levelled allegations against PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif but did not respond to the court notices," Sanaullah added.
The PML-N leader asserted, "References have been filed against Babar Awan, Pervaiz Elahi and Aleem Khan but they have not been arrested."
"The court verdict acquitted Nawaz of corruption charges. Jehangir Tareen managed the fake mandate and brought people to Bani Gala in his plane," he added.
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