Sindh and Punjab Governments in Verbal Clash Over Cholistan Canal Project

LAHORE, KARACHI: The political feud between the Punjab and Sindh governments over the controversial Cholistan canal project has escalated, with sharp exchanges between key officials from both provinces. The issue, which has become a major point of contention between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has intensified recently, according to reports from The News.

The latest round of verbal attacks began when Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon responded to remarks made by Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bokhari. Bokhari had reiterated the PPP’s opposition to the Cholistan canal project after Memon criticized the PPP’s stance. The Cholistan canal project, which involves the construction of six canals on the Indus River to irrigate the Cholistan Desert, has faced strong resistance from the PPP and other Sindh nationalist parties.

The federal government has estimated the cost of the project at Rs211.4 billion, with plans to bring thousands of acres of barren land into agricultural production and provide irrigation to 400,000 acres of land. However, political parties, religious groups, and civil society organizations in Sindh have rallied in opposition to the plan, fearing it could harm the province’s water rights.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other party leaders have consistently voiced concerns over the project, with Bilawal warning against “irresponsible decisions” related to water distribution. Former President Asif Ali Zardari has also expressed concerns, stating that certain unilateral policies are placing undue strain on the federal system.

In response to the escalating tensions, Bokhari claimed that President Zardari had signed the documents related to the project, a statement that was later disputed by Memon. The Sindh minister emphasized that the Cholistan canal issue was being politicized in Sindh and that resolving it would not be achieved through rallies or media statements. “We are not in a fight, but they continue launching verbal attacks,” she said.

Memon also pointed out that the PPP’s opposition to the project was well-documented, including a statement from Bilawal opposing the construction of new canals. He further questioned Bokhari’s claim regarding the approval of the project by President Zardari, stating that it was not the president’s role to approve new development projects.

The Sindh Information Minister also raised concerns about the lack of clarity on the water source for the proposed canals and reiterated that the Punjab government had failed to provide sufficient details on this matter. Memon recalled the late Benazir Bhutto’s historic protest against the proposed construction of the Kalabagh Dam, drawing parallels with the current opposition to new canals.

Looking ahead, Memon announced that the PPP would hold a major public meeting in Hyderabad on April 18 to address concerns over the canal project and issues related to terrorism in Pakistan. He stressed that the PPP was committed to protecting the legitimate interests of the people of Sindh.

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Memon concluded by criticizing some elements within the PML-N for making public statements without considering constitutional implications, calling for greater unity and cooperation among the provinces for the betterment of the country. He also reiterated that the PPP’s pro-peace policies would continue to guide the party’s efforts in safeguarding the interests of Sindh.

The dispute over the Cholistan canal project remains unresolved, with both parties continuing to accuse each other of playing political games rather than addressing the constitutional and inter-provincial concerns at the heart of the issue.