ISLAMABAD – Three chief ministers staged a walkout from the meeting ofCouncil of Common Interests (CCI) and expressed their reservations aboutthe development expenditures in the budget 2018-19 on Tuesday.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the approval of the PSDin the absence of three chief ministers is illegal.

“No one has right to present the budget of the next government,” said KPKChief Minister Pervaiz Khattak. Balochistan Chief Minister Abdul QadusBizanjo said that the schemes were given with the consent of the Federation.

Meanwhile, the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has unanimously approvedthe ‘Pakistan Water Charter’ pledging commitment to the National WaterPolicy.

The meeting of the CCI was held in Islamabad with Prime Minister ShahidKhaqan Abbasi in the chair, while chief ministers of all the fourprovinces, federal and provincial ministers concerned and senior officialsalso attended the meeting.

The Pakistan Water Charter was signed by Prime Minister Shahid KhaqanAbbasi, Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister SindhSyed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister KPK Pervez Khattak, and Chief MinisterBalochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo.

Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Sartaj Aziz briefed the meeting aboutsalient features of the policy. He said the policy has been prepared afterconsultations with all major stakeholders.

He added that a national seminar was also held to reach the consensus.

He said that the policy encompasses priorities of water uses, environmentalintegrity of the Basin, impact of climate change, hydropower generation,water rights and obligations, sustainable water infrastructure, waterrelated hazards, and conservation measures.