- The Sindh CM urged the protesters not to make trouble with “their people”.
- PPP will oppose the conversation with the Center is useless.
- CM says, at all costs, the controversial canal will block the project.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah urged the protesters on Tuesday, protested against the construction of new canals, remaining peaceful and not causing difficulty for the people by staying peaceful and blocking highways and main entirety.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, CM Murad said: “Lawyers and nationalists should continue their opposition without harassing their people.”
He said that PPPs and protesters share the same goal, saying that his party would also protest if their ongoing talks with the federal government were useless.
In February this year, Army Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz started the initiative of Green Pakistan in Cholistan, which aims to revolutionize agriculture and provide agricultural facilities to farmers under a roof.
The project triggers a wave of unrest in Sindh, and in March the Provincial Assembly unanimously passed a resolution against the construction of six new canals on the Indus River. Meanwhile, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) and other nationalist parties took the streets and staged a large -scale rallies in various cities of the province including Karachi.
Today, in his hard-touching presser, Sindh CM announced that the controversial canal project would be blocked at all costs.
“The Sindh government and the PPP canal project will not allow the project to be made with the power of the people,” he said.
The CM said that the work on the canal project had come to a standstill since July 2024, and the project approval was pending since November last year. He wondered why the project was not released.
He said, “Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif is also aware of the serious consequences of the canal project,” he said and hoped that Premier would work with justice.
Protest in Karachi
A protest march by Sev Sindhu Students Alliance, supported by Karachi Bachao Tehreek and others, was in Kishore Talwar and marched in Fowva Chowk. The protesters were also included by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr.
Like many others in the province, protests demonstrated against the canal project and a demonstration at Fova Chowk.
A day earlier, PM’s Special Assistant Rana Sanaullah on political matters called Sindh Information Minister Sharjel Memon for the third consecutive day to discuss the matter.
“The Prime Minister will take a appropriate decision on the matter,” Sanullah said, while Memon insisted that “whenever there is talks, they will be at the government level.”
Speaking on Jio News’s program “Jio Pakistan” on Tuesday, Sanaullah assured that Sindh’s interests would not be compromised.
He said, “(We have no intention of stealing a drop of Sindh water), he said that Pakistan was ready for the People’s Party (PPP) dialogue and the federal government was taking the issue seriously.
The minister also demanded to reduce the comments made by PPP President Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who warned last week that his party would participate with the ruling alliance if the federal government failed to address its serious reservation on the project of controversial canals.
Sanaullah said, “What Bilawal had said in a public meeting was said in the heat of giving a speech.”
He urged restraint in the political discourse and reminded all the parties to maintain mutual respect. He said, “There is no need to react to what Bilawal said. The statements should remain within the limits, and others should be shown respect and dignity,” he said.
Memon echoed the federal government’s stance on the dialogue and reiterated the concerns of the province. “The issue of the canal is a matter of public concern,” he said, “Sindh government is representing the people of Sindh.”
Memon said that objections were raised on the canal project on many occasions and forums. “If the federal government wants to discuss the matter, it is welcome. PPP will definitely advocate the case of the people of Sindh,” he said.
Meanwhile, disintegration continues in protests in Sindh on the issue. Memon appealed to the protesters to protest against responsibility. He said, “The protesters have been requested to keep their opposition in the field, not blocking the roads, being damaged to the common people,” he said.
