WEBDESK: The federal and Sindh governments have agreed to hold talks about the controversial canal projects on the Indus River, marking a step toward addressing the concerns of Sindh regarding water distribution. This decision was made after discussions between Adviser to the Prime Minister, Rana Sanaullah, and Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. Both parties have agreed to initiate discussions to find a solution that respects the rights of all provinces, especially Sindh, which has raised concerns about the projects’ impact on its water share.
PML-N Punjab President Sanaullah spoke with Memon on the phone during which both the leaders agreed that the canals dispute on Indus river should be sorted out through talks, according to a statement issued by the Sindh senior minister’s spokesperson.
“We are ready for negotiations with Sindh,” Sanaullah was quoted as saying.
“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif have directed that Sindh’s reservations be removed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Memon said that the Sindh government has given its stance on the canals project on Indus river at every forum.
“The PPP and the people of Sindh have serious reservations about the disputed canals,” he said. “The PPP wants fair distribution of water for the people of Sindh under the 1991 agreement.”
“The PPP is also willing to hold talks with the federal government on the canals issue,” Memon said.
The proposed canal projects on the Indus River have raised alarms in Sindh, with the government and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) voicing strong reservations. The Sindh government has consistently called for the fair distribution of water according to the 1991 Water Accord. Sharjeel Memon emphasized that Sindh’s concerns need to be addressed, and he urged for a fair discussion to safeguard the province’s water rights from being compromised.
Earlier, PPP leader Shazia Marri criticized the federal government’s proposal to build canals on the Indus River, calling it irresponsible, particularly in light of the ongoing water crises in both Sindh and Balochistan. She also highlighted the warning issued by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to the federal government over the project.
On April 18, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari threatened the ruling PML-N against continuing down the path of confrontation with Sindh over the issue of new canals on the Indus River.
While addressing a large public gathering at the Hatri Bypass Ground on Friday night, he said his party would not go along with the federal government if it did not shelve the controversial project on Indus river, even after acknowledging the PPP’s objections.
The PML-N lawmaker said he had spoken on the phone with PM Shehbaz yesterday on the issue of the canals project. “God-willing, the government will soon talk to the PPP leadership on this matter and we will invite them [the PPP] to talks so this matter can be solved amicably.
