Bilawal Bhutto Opposes Indus Canal Project Amid Water Scarcity
The PPP's proposed solution includes declaring a national drought emergency and shifting focus from infrastructure development to water conservation, while Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has warned of the project's potential to endanger the federation's integrity and spark inter-provincial conflict.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), has reiterated his party's opposition to the controversial canal project over the Indus River, citing concerns over water scarcity and potential harm to Sindh's agriculture and farmers.
The PPP has proposed a four-point solution to address the country's water issues, including declaring a national drought emergency, shifting focus from infrastructure development to water conservation, sound population policies, and ending the culture of elite capture. Bilawal addressed a party rally in Hyderabad, where he congratulated the people of Umerkot for their support after the party won a by-election, which he said sent a message that people have rejected the canal project.
Bilawal accused the federal government of denying wheat support prices to farmers and stopping provinces from procuring wheat crops, and of taxing the farm sector heavily to destroy farmers. He warned that the project will endanger the integrity of the federation and make brothers (other provinces) fight each other. He also announced that he would hold another public meeting in Sukkur on April 25.
Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, suggested resolving the canal water dispute between Punjab and Sindh through dialogue between all parties, stating that Punjab would not take a single drop of water from Sindh without consensus. He emphasized the need for a united response to growing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and called for consensus and cooperation in resolving political and administrative issues in Pakistan.
The controversy surrounding the Indus canal project has sparked a heated debate, with the PPP and other stakeholders pushing for a comprehensive solution to address the country's water issues. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing concerns and work towards finding a mutually acceptable solution.