The ongoing dispute between the federal government and Sindh province over canal construction on the Indus River is set to be brought before the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Given the current makeup of the council, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) holds a significant majority, which could sway the decision in its favor.
PML-N’s Dominance in CCI
The CCI, an eight-member constitutional body tasked with resolving federal-provincial disputes, is heavily influenced by PML-N, which has five members in the council. This includes Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Amir Muqam, and the Chief Minister of Punjab.
In contrast, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which opposes the canal project, currently has the backing of only the Sindh chief minister. If Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces lend their support to PPP, the party could muster three votes in total.
Majority Vote Will Decide the Outcome
Should the CCI fail to reach a consensus, the matter will be resolved through a majority vote, which is likely to favor PML-N given its numerical advantage.
If the PPP is unsatisfied with the ruling, it can take the issue to a joint session of parliament, where the decision will be final and binding according to constitutional provisions.
