The dispute concerning canal construction on the Indus River has intensified between the federal government and the Sindh province, with the issue now expected to be presented before the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Given the current composition of the council, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) holds a clear majority, making it probable that the decision will favour them.
PML-N’s Majority in the CCI
The CCI, an eight-member constitutional body tasked with resolving disputes between the federal and provincial governments, includes five members from the PML-N. These include Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, Amir Muqam, and the Punjab Chief Minister.
Conversely, 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 a total of three votes.
Decision by Majority Vote
In the event that a consensus cannot be reached, the matter will be resolved through a majority vote, which favours the PML-N due to its numerical strength.
Should the PPP remain 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 made by the joint session will be final and binding.
