The Sindh Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution, presented by Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, rejecting the construction of six new canals, including the Cholistan Canal.
The resolution firmly opposes these projects, deeming them a violation of the 1991 Water Accord and an attempt to deprive Sindh of its rightful share of water.
Addressing the assembly, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah asserted that Sindh would not compromise on its water rights and vowed to resist any unlawful water distribution. He criticized the federal government for pushing these projects, calling them unconstitutional and unacceptable.
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“Any attempt to take away Sindh’s water rights will be met with a strong response,” he stated.
Shah accused the federal government of using these canal projects for political maneuvering, arguing that neither Punjab nor the federation could justify their construction.
“The federal government only brings up these canals to exert pressure on Sindh,” he claimed. He also questioned the feasibility of the projects, pointing out that there is no surplus water available for diversion. “If there is no extra water, how can it be channeled into these canals?” he asked.
The chief minister emphasized that the Sindh government had already raised objections with the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and insisted that no canal should be built without its approval. “Until the CCI discusses and resolves this issue, no new canal should be constructed,” he maintained.
Shah also referenced historical agreements on water distribution, particularly the 1945 Sindh-Punjab Agreement, which ensured an equitable share of water. He accused the federal government of unfairly imposing the 1991 Water Accord on Sindh and called for its proper implementation.
He further recalled past resistance against controversial water projects, noting that the PPP had consistently opposed the Greater Thal Canal and the Kalabagh Dam.
“We have always stood against such unfair projects, and this time will be no different,” he affirmed.
Additionally, Shah criticized the Punjab government for misleading claims regarding the Cholistan Canal. “They insist they won’t take water from the Indus, yet their budget allocations tell a different story,” he said, referring to Punjab’s earlier Rs. 1 million budget allocation for the canal, which was later withdrawn.
He expressed gratitude to all political parties in the Sindh Assembly for supporting the resolution and stressed that this was a collective effort to protect Sindh’s water rights. “I want every member’s name to be included in the resolution along with mine,” he stated.
The Sindh government has committed to mobilizing public support against any unlawful water projects and urged the federal government to hold immediate consultations with all stakeholders. “Public resistance will be organized against any illegal water distribution,” Shah warned.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also voiced his strong opposition, comparing the extraction of additional canals from the Indus River to “playing with fire.” He cautioned that such decisions could have serious repercussions and escalate inter-provincial tensions.
The Sindh Assembly session was subsequently adjourned until 2:30 pm the following day.
