Murad Ali Shah revealed that President Zardari swiftly opposed the project upon learning of it, firmly distancing himself from any association or approval
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has strongly criticized the proposed construction of canals on the River Indus, linking the initiative to Punjab’s so-called “Green Initiative” and asserting that it is part of a broader conspiracy aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). His remarks came following an inspection of the ongoing development of water channels in the districts of Sajawal and Thatta, areas that have been at the heart of the ongoing debate over the control and distribution of water from the Indus River.
The Chief Minister further emphasized that the ownership of the River Indus belongs to all three provinces – Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab – and must be managed collectively and fairly. He rejected claims that President Asif Ali Zardari had approved the construction of the canals, clarifying that the President did not have the authority to approve such projects. According to Murad Ali Shah, any such claim was false, as the President’s role was limited to making policy statements during joint sessions of the parliament.
“In fact,” Murad Ali Shah added, “as soon as President Zardari was made aware of the project, he raised his objections, making it clear that he did not support it.” His statement was aimed at dispelling misconceptions and accusations that the PPP, under Zardari’s leadership, was somehow complicit in facilitating the canal project.
Murad Ali Shah, who has been a vocal advocate for Sindh’s water rights, pointed out that under the leadership of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the party has consistently supported initiatives to improve irrigation and water management within Sindh but has always opposed any actions that could undermine the province’s access to its rightful share of water resources. “The construction of these canals on the Indus is not just a matter of infrastructure, but a direct challenge to the people of Sindh,” he declared.
Reaffirming the party’s stance on the issue, Murad Ali Shah recalled a firm declaration made by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on December 27, where the PPP Chairman explicitly rejected the idea of canals on the Indus, underscoring the party’s commitment to protecting Sindh’s water rights. The PPP’s position, he said, has always been to ensure that the people of Sindh are not deprived of their due share of water, which remains a critical issue for the province’s agricultural and economic stability.
