Speaker National Assembly Calls for International Court Action Against India Over Neelum-Jhelum Project Attack

Islamabad: Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, has called for taking the matter of the attack on the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in response to India’s alleged involvement.
The National Assembly session, presided over by Speaker Sadiq, began with a question-and-answer session, during which Member of Parliament Shagufta Jumani raised concerns regarding the stalled Neelum-Jhelum project. She asked about the reasons behind its delay.
Federal Minister for Water Resources, Mohsin Watto, explained that two tunnels of the project had collapsed in 2024, prompting a visit by the Prime Minister and the formation of a high-powered committee to address the issue. Investigations are ongoing, with initial reports indicating that the project is expected to resume within two years.
Member of Parliament Malik Amer Dogar raised concerns about reports suggesting that India had attacked the project. He inquired about the extent of the damage and whether the government intended to approach the International Court of Justice over the matter. In response, Speaker Sadiq emphasized that Pakistan should indeed pursue the case in the international court.
Minister Watto confirmed that the government is actively addressing the situation, having already approached the appropriate forums for a response. “We will have to have our stance recognized,” he added.
During the session, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed addressed concerns regarding the rising prices of medicines. He assured that if there was significant price inflation, the matter would be brought to the Prime Minister’s attention, and a report would be prepared within a month. He also assured that there would be no shortages of medicines, as alternatives are available for medications in short supply.
In another response, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Naleem Aziz, shared the alarming statistics that in 2023, 11,000 women died during childbirth, with an average of 27 deaths per day. Additionally, 675 children die daily, reflecting the dire state of maternal and child health in the country.