Rift widens between Pak ruling coalition over Indus canal project

Islamabad: The growing fissures between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) - the ruling coalition allies of Pakistan government - have resurfaced as the latter has decided to seek support from various political parties for a resolution in the National Assembly against the construction of controversial canals on the Indus River.

Citing party sources, Pakistani media outlet ARY news reported on Friday that efforts of the PPP are underway to table a joint resolution with the opposition party, Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the canal project. In a major political shift, PPP welcomed PTI’s initiative to introduce an anti-canals resolution, terming it a positive development. Earlier, members of PPP staged a protest during the National Assembly session over the exclusion of their resolution concerning canal construction on the Indus River from the day’s agenda. Recently, PPP National Assembly member and party spokesperson Shazia Marri lashed out at PML-N, stating that the way the canal issue was being handled by the Federal government could lead to anarchy in Pakistan.

“The way you [federal government] are handling it, the way you are mocking it, the way weird statements are being given in a province, we feel that an attempt is being made to ignite fire in Pakistan. We feel that peace in Pakistan is in danger,” Marri said on the floor of the House. (IANS)

Also Read: US cannot act recklessly: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi

Also Watch: