Rabbani questions appointment of new IRSA chairman

ISLAMABAD: Former Senate chairman Mian Raza Rabbani Thursday questioned the appointment of the new Indus River System Authority (IRSA) chairman, saying that the caretaker government acted beyond its mandate as the ordinance drafted by the interim set-up, which is a black law, was sent back by former president Dr Arif Alvi.

“The proviso of Article 48, Constitution, 1973, can only come into effect once the prime minister sends the advice back to the president, in this case was it sent back to former president Dr Arif Alvi, and when, if at all was the ordinance promulgated,” Rabbani wonders in a statement.

The Pakistan Peoples Party leader said as this law is a major policy decision that effects the rights of the province’s and the ordinance was not placed before the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

He said as the provinces have been denied the right to have Irsa chairman on rotating base. “As the provinces have been denied the right to appeal before the CCI,” he said.

The former Senate chairman said this is a black law and an attack on the federal structure and should be withdrawn immediately.