Sindh Minister for Population Welfare Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh said on Tuesday that the chief minister has ordered Sindh Irrigation Department to look into the press reports about the opening of Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal which has reportedly caused water shortage at Sukkur Barrage.
He was replying to a point of order raised by a treasury member, Dr Hamida Khuhro who had expressed her "grave concern" over the persistent water shortage at Sukkur Barrage and its distributaries at a time when the growers are in dire need of water.
The session, scheduled for 9:30 am, began at about 11:50 on Tuesday amidst uproar from the opposition questioning the sincerity of the government in running the House in appropriate manner.
Speaker Muzaffar Hussain Shah was in the chair. Chief Minister Ali Mohammed Mahar also attended the session for a brief duration.
Imtiaz Sheikh said that the chief minister had taken notice of the press report and had called for a detailed report whether the canal had been opened.
He said that the government was firm on the commitment to plead the case of Sindh in respect of equitable distribution of water and in no way prepared to compromise on this issue.
He said that the government was equally alive to water issue as were the opposition members.
The leader of the opposition, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, expressed disappointment over the assurance given by the minister and said that the water issue had been there for a long time without any effective action taken by the government.
He said that the matter could not be brushed aside merely as a press report as it had serious complications for the farmers and the provincial agricultural economy.
As Imtiaz wanted to indulge in a detailed discussion, PPP's Ghulam Qadir tried to intervene which provoked other members who stood up and began to express their views. An altercation began in which Education Minister Irfanullah Marwat and Law Minister Iftikhar Hussain also participated.
However, the Speaker, with his wit, harshness and grimaces brought the House to order.
On a point of order, MMA's Hameedullah wanted to know if the coalition partners of the government had their own intelligence network in addition to the one that the government had.
He said that as far he knew there was no provision in the constitution which could enable a political party to operate its own intelligence organisation.
MQM's Mohammed Hussain was quick to take the mike to respond to Hameedullah but the Speaker asked him to occupy his seat, as he had no authority to opine on the nature of a point of order.
On a point of order MMA's Sadiq asked for funds for the completion of development work related to Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and Karachi Electric Supply Corporation in his constituencies PA 90 and 91.
Qaim Ali Shah, of PPP, on a point of order, complained about repeated assurances from the Sindh finance minister for the release of funds for development projects of Khairpur but nothing had been done.