Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi  censured Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for “Crossing limits of animosity” against Punjab and expressed concerns about state of agriculture in province.

“Shehbaz has resorted to cruelty against cultivators and farmers. Obstacles are being created to hinder completion of Greater Thal Canal in animosity against Punjab,” Chief Minister said in a statement.

“If contract of project is not signed by December 13, then its agreement will automatically end,” CM Elahi said adding that project was approved by Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC).

He added that last date for signing Asian Development Bank’s agreement is December 13, 2022 and deplored lack of progress on matter from Centre.

“In ECNEC meeting, Punjab addressed Sindh’s objections with statistics. Construction, repair and rehabilitation were also to be done during first phase of Greater Thal Canal.”

CM Elahi said that water was allocated under name of Greater Thal Canal according to 1991 Water Agreement, under which Kacchi Canal project got constructed for Balochistan while Rainee Canal Project got built for Sindh. He added that Chashma Right Canal project was approved for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Greater Thal Canal project has been on hold since 2007. It was restored by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government which arranged for its funds. However, ADB’s agreement is yet to be signed in order to acquire a loan for project,” Chief Minister said.

All projects related to flood rehabilitation were included in ECNEC meeting, but not single project from Punjab was discussed.  CM Elahi also spoke about not receiving a single penny for province’s flood victims and hurled corruption allegations against him.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 10 2022

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