29 January 2005	Saturday	18 Zilhaj 1425

KARACHI, Jan 28: PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has voiced reservations about bypassing the constitutional provisions for the settlement of water issues between the provinces, says a statement issued here on Friday.

Ms Bhutto was commenting on reports that the government had decided to set up a Water Council under the chairmanship of the prime minister, comprising chief ministers of the four provinces and experts from provinces and water and power ministry to resolve water-related disputes between the federating units.

Ms Bhutto said Article 153 of the constitution provided a mechanism in the shape of Council of Common Interest (CCI) for addressing such issues. The Water Council would be helpless as it was not a constitutional body,, she said.

The former prime minister said water issues were linked to that of electricity which was also a subject on the Concurrent Legislative List and fell within the purview of the CCI for formulating and regulating policies.

The CCI was answerable to parliament and the new proposed Water Council was accountable to the prime minister or federal government, she said and added that this fact alone would make the new body suspected in the eyes of many.