LAHORE: Concerns over dwindling water availability in the province surfaced again in the Punjab Assembly on Monday, as Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan expressed his concern over the rapid decline of the water table in southern Punjab.

He said that the cultivation of sugarcane in the cotton belt is causing a drop in subsoil water levels due to the increasing number of tube-wells being used to meet the water demands of the thirsty cane crop. He also expressed regret over the rise of rice cultivation in these areas, which he said was creating an unsuitable environment for cotton.

The speaker warned of a severe water shortage in the province within 15 years if this trend of water misuse is not reversed.

Opposition MPA Ijaz Shafi from Rahim Yar Khan pointed out that PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz have also set up sugar mills in his area, contributing to the decline in subsoil water levels.

The speaker responded that he was not interested in blame games, as PTI sponsors also have sugar mills in the region.

Opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar informed the assembly that while wheat crops require watering four times in their lifecycle, sugarcane demands 16 waterings.

RESOLUTION: The assembly unanimously passed a resolution honouring the sacrifices of the armed forces.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja introduced the resolution, which expressed solidarity with the armed forces, lauding their contributions and sacrifices for the homeland.

The resolution praised the armed forces for their victory in the war on terror, restoring law and order, and working to eliminate smuggling and the hundi system, with the support of federal and provincial governments.

It stated that the nation sleeps peacefully due to the services of the armed forces, which consistently meet public expectations.

military courts: Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan has called for establishment of military courts for trying those involved in May 9 riots, arguing it was a “special incident requiring special courts”.

“The May 9 incident is a test case for the state. There is no precedent in any country of attacking its armed forces. The accused in the May 9 attacks had burnt the national flag, set fire to mosques and houses. It was a special incident. Shouldn’t their cases be heard by special courts,” he said, while talking to the media before the start of the PA session.

He said he was not in favour of imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the party in power there should be allowed to be exposed with regard to its performance in the province. He said the prevailing political instability is hurting the country’s economy and all political parties need to consider this aspect.

Replying to a query about the purported 27th amendment, he said if the need was felt for another amendment, a national consensus would be developed for it.

He lauded PM Shehbaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and other leaders who joined their hands for the passage of the 26th Amendment that withdrew the judiciary’s powers to appoint new judges and assigned this task to the parliament. The step, he said, restored the Constitution to its original form and implemented the Charter of Democracy, the document that also carries signatures of PTI founder Imran Khan.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2024