Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has issued a stern warning to the federal government, indicating that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) may withdraw its support from the ruling coalition if the controversial canals project is not halted. Speaking on SAMAA TV’s program Red Line with Talat, Shah emphasized the importance of dialogue to resolve the dispute, stating, “Let’s talk. Dialogue is the only way forward.” He stressed that his party does not wish to take drastic steps but will not compromise on Sindh’s water rights.
Murad Ali Shah highlighted that even during previous caretaker governments, certificates from the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) were obtained to ensure fair distribution of water resources. He warned against interim setups making decisions that could cause long-term conflicts. Urging the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to reconsider its approach, Shah remarked, “We don’t want another interim government to make decisions that later lead to endless disputes. The PML-N should also reflect on this.”
The controversy intensified as senior PPP leader and Sindh Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, speaking on Nadeem Malik Live, stated that the PPP would not hesitate to exit the federal coalition. “It would take us two minutes to walk away,” he asserted. He further claimed that without the PPP’s support, national elections would have faced a nine-year delay. Nasir Hussain Shah criticized plans to draw additional water from the Indus River, arguing that it would severely impact Sindh’s allocated water share under existing agreements.
Despite receiving some conciliatory remarks from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Nasir Hussain Shah noted that other PML-N leaders had aggravated tensions with insensitive statements. “We are still hopeful that the Prime Minister will make a positive decision. But since there has been no communication, Bilawal Bhutto has decided to take the matter to the public through rallies,” he said.
On the federal side, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry downplayed the technical aspects of the canals project, describing it as a political issue. He assured that the federal government would not impose decisions on the provinces, especially regarding sensitive matters such as water distribution and the Mines and Minerals Bill. “The government will not impose its will on provinces regarding canals or the Mines and Minerals Bill,” he stated. Dr. Chaudhry emphasized that all discussions would adhere to constitutional and legal frameworks, noting that the dispute does not involve changes to provincial boundaries but rather revolves around resource management within the existing legal structure.
This political standoff over water rights and federal-provincial relations could have significant implications for the stability of the coalition government and the future of inter-provincial resource sharing in Pakistan.
