Sindh’s Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed the United Opposition of his province to the proposed channel projects, declaring that the people of Sindh will not go back from their position.
In statements to the media in Sehwan and Bhan Saeedabad, CM Sindh said that the people of Sindh are “completely united and actively protest” against the construction of new channels, a plan that has caused a growing political and public reaction in the province.
“This is not just the government’s position, the people of Sindh have made it clear: we reject these channels,” said CM Sindh. “We are not going back.”
CM Sindh added that the Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP) has constantly opposed the project, pointing out recent statements made in the National Assembly by the president of the Bilawal Bhutto Zardari party.
“President Bilawal has already made it absolutely clear in Parliament: these channels cannot be supported under any circumstances.”
He also referred to the recent partial elections in UMRKOT, saying that the voters had given “a clear message” when gathering behind the PPP, despite the attempts of what he called “conspirators” elements “to divide the province.
“Social networks have been saying that only the PPP can stop these channels, and that is true,” CM Sindh added. “Because its approval was obtained by the Government of the caregiver through IRSA, not by the chosen representatives of the people.”
The prime minister welcomed those who protested the channel project, saying that peaceful manifestations were a democratic right. However, he warned that “certain elements are trying to turn this problem into a conspiracy against the PPP.”
Referring to recent political meetings, CM Sindh highlighted the strong public support of the PPP. “Our recent rally in the Hyderabad division was massive. And this is just the beginning: we will soon celebrate great demonstrations in Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas and Karachi too.”
He reiterated that the PPP was with people on the subject. “We are with the public on this matter,” he said, echoing the growing campaign of the party to mobilize opinion against the channel initiative.
The controversial proposal of the channel, as reported, approved by the caregiver’s government through the authority of the Indo River System (IRSA), has caused significant resistance in Sindh, where concerns about water shortage remain acute.
Meanwhile, the Association of Lawyers of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCBAP) has strongly opposed the construction of six new Channels of the Indo River, warning that the project could intensify interprovincial tensions and worsen the shortage of water already serious in Sindh.
At its sixth meeting of the 27 Executive Committee, held in the SCBAP Registry branch in Lahore, the Committee approved a series of resolutions that address key national concerns, including water distribution, regional security and political disturbances.
