The dispute over canal construction on the Indus River has intensified between the federal government and the Sindh province, with the matter now expected to be taken up by the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Given the current composition of the council, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) enjoys a clear majority, making it likely that the decision will be in its favour.
PML-N’s majority in CCI
The CCI, an eight-member constitutional body responsible for resolving disputes between the federal and provincial governments, has five members from the PML-N. This includes Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Amir Muqam, and the Punjab chief minister.
On the other hand, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which opposes the canal construction, currently has the support of only the Sindh chief minister. However, if Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan extend their support to the PPP, it could secure three votes in total.
Decision to be made by majority vote
If a consensus is not reached, the matter will be decided through a majority vote, which favours the PML-N due to its numerical strength.
In the event that the PPP remains dissatisfied with the CCI’s ruling, it has the option to escalate the issue to a joint session of parliament. According to constitutional provisions, the decision taken by the joint session will be final and binding.
