KARACHI, Jan 1: Several political and nationalist leaders have rejected the federal government’s decision of constituting the Council of Common Interests (CCI) with the condition that a majority vote by CCI members on crucial issues like Kalabagh dam would be acceptable to all stakeholders, a deviation from the present criterion of a consensus of all CCI members.
Sindh PPP chief Syed Qaim Ali Shah told PPI on Sunday that the people of this province were very much apprehensive about the proposed council as the government itself was a party in the Kalabagh dam issue.
“Gen Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have personally been running the campaign for the construction of the KBD, and by proposing majority decision criteria for the CCI’s decisions, they have now proved that they have already decided what they want to do.”
He said that the formation of CCI was a constitutional obligation under Articles 153-156 to resolve the issues relating to water, electricity, railway etc.
Mr Shah said that the CCI to be set up by the rulers would definitely be a partial body as it would be headed by the prime minister with some federal ministers and chief ministers from the four provinces being its members. They were not expected to serve the interests of Sindh or other smaller provinces, he added.
“If the rulers are sincere in resolving the issue, they should give sufficient representation in the CCI to the opposition,” he said.
He pointed out that a majority of people, as well as the three provincial assemblies, had already rejected the KBD, and the rulers should not disrespect sentiments of the masses.
Nafees Siddiqui, General Secretary of the PPP, Sindh, said: “The government’s decision testifies that it is not sincere in resolving the issues that may cause harm to the country’s integrity. Even before constituting the CCI, the rulers have made it controversial, giving way to a new crisis.”
He said that any decision on the issues of national importance should always be taken with a consensus. The rulers are bent upon going ahead with their unilateral decision of setting aside the popular opinion of the masses belonging to three provinces.
He pointed out that formation of the CCI was a constitutional requirement in the parliamentary system of government, but the ill will being shown by the government even before setting up the council had exposed its intentions. He said that the condition would not be accepted at any cost.
Dr Qadir Magsi, Chairman of the Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party (STPP) also rejected the government’s decision, saying: “Revival of CCI is just a formality as the rulers have already decided to take unilateral decisions on the sensitive issues like Kalabagh dam.”
Talking to this news agency by telephone from Hyderabad, the STPP leader said, “What could be expected about a constitutional body set up by the people who have no respect for the constitution itself.”
Bashir Khan Qureshi, Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) said, “Revival of this constitutional body is the rulers’ a new tactic to serve the interests of Punjab.”
If they believed in a majority vote, they should accept the voice raised by a majority, i.e. three federating units, which have already rejected the KBD, he argued.— PPI