A political row has erupted between Punjab and Sindh over the federal government’s canal construction project, just days after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari strongly opposed the scheme, calling it a “unilateral decision” during a rally in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh.
The project, inaugurated on February 15 by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, aims to irrigate lands in south Punjab’s Cholistan region. However, it has triggered serious concerns in Sindh, where officials fear it could disrupt the ecological balance and reduce Sindh’s water share from the Indus River.
In March, the Sindh Assembly passed a unanimous resolution demanding an immediate halt to any work on the six new canals unless all provinces—especially Sindh—are included in the decision-making process.
The PPP also staged widespread protests across Sindh this week to voice opposition to the project.
Responding to Bilawal’s criticism, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said during a press conference in Lahore that such statements were not a solution. She questioned why Bilawal could attend meetings on budget allocations but not engage in discussions to resolve the canal issue. Bokhari also claimed the project had been approved by President Asif Ali Zardari, stating: “It is documented, it is signed.”
In a sharp rebuttal, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon criticized Bokhari, questioning her understanding of the president’s constitutional role and accusing the Punjab government of ignoring Sindh’s water rights.
The controversy underscores rising inter-provincial tensions over water resource distribution in Pakistan, with calls for a consensus-based solution to avoid further political and environmental fallout.
PPP Criticizes Presidential Approval of Controversial Canal Project, Raises Constitutional Concerns
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon strongly criticized the federal government’s handling of the $3.3 billion Green Pakistan Initiative, questioning the constitutional authority of the President of Pakistan in approving major infrastructure projects like the canal construction plan.
Memon challenged the legality of the project approval, stating, “Where in the Constitution does it say the president can approve such projects? If the federal government sent it for presidential approval, that’s an incompetent move.” He emphasized that due process was bypassed, accusing the authorities of fabricating documentation to support the scheme. “If you have the approval documents, you should also show the fake meeting minutes,” he added.
In response to criticism that the PPP had not taken a strong enough stance within the coalition government, Memon clarified that the party’s loyalty lies with the people, not the Shehbaz-led administration. He reiterated Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s statement: “We are with the people, not with the Shehbaz government.”
The Green Pakistan Initiative, aiming to develop six major canals to irrigate 1.2 million acres of barren land in South Punjab, has met escalating resistance—not just from Sindhi nationalist groups, but now the PPP leadership as well. Five canals are planned to draw water from the Indus River, while one will be built along the Sutlej River, designed to deliver 4,120 cusecs of water to the Cholistan desert.
The growing backlash reflects concerns over inter-provincial water rights, constitutional violations, and the potential ecological impact on Sindh.
