Two IRSA members resign over opening of CJ link canal

A row over the opening of Chashma-Jhelum link canal took a new turn on Wednesday when two members of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), Sindhs Mohammed Khan Memon and the federal member Bashir Ahmed Dahr decided to resign in protest against the move, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa member Aman Gul Khatak have already resigned a week ago.Protesting against the decision taken by Punjabs member in his capacity as acting chairman of Irsa to open the canal, the Sindh government demanded an urgent meeting of the water regulator to reverse it.Talking to Dunya News, Bashir Dahar said that acting chairman and member from Punjab Shafqat Masood's decision is against the IRSA act.Meanwhile, Shafqat Masood held separate meetings with Water and Power Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Secretary Shahid Rafi and explained reasons behind his decision to open the canal.Apparently convinced by Mr Masoods point of view, the minister and the secretary advised him to issue a statement to clarify why he had decided to open the canal despite opposition from members representing the federal and Sindh governments. Meanwhile, PPPs Senior Minister Raja Riaz while addressing in the Punjab Assembly, said that Irsa is being politicized, and added that it should be freed. He said that for long Punjab gave sacrifices but now the Chashma Jhelum Link would remain open.