CM urges protesters to stop agitation, unblock roads, as PM cancelled canals project

CM urges protesters to stop agitation, unblock roads, as PM cancelled canals project

Murad urges protesters to stop agitation, unblock roads, as PM cancelled canals project

• Demanding notification for canals cancellation is misleading people
• Out of 8 members, 7 are assigned to Scarp Canal Project in CCI
• Pakistan is capable of responding decisively to Indian aggression
• Modi is playing to galleries; unstatesmanlike announced to scrap water treaty

KARACHI (April 25): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that after the Prime Minister's joint press conference with Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in which he firmly announced the cancellation of the canals project, the protesters should cease their agitation and unblock the roads they have obstructed, as this disruption is affecting daily life.

He pointed out that there are two groups of protesters regarding the canals: those who genuinely oppose the project because it goes against the province's interests, and those who are simply attempting to use the situation for political gain by infringing on the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) public mandate, thereby blocking roads and impeding daily activities.

The Chief Minister has said that there were two types of protesters against the canals: those who genuinely opposed the project [canals] as being against the interests of the province, and others attempting to gain political mileage by encroaching on the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) public mandate and now have blocked roads hinder daily life.

At the outset of his media address, the chief minister strongly condemned India's aggressive stance. He stated that, in response to India's actions, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) affirmed that Pakistan is capable of responding decisively to Indian aggression. The NSC has decided to expel the Indian army attaché from Pakistan, close the borders, and block airways for Indian airlines. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the people of Pakistan are united in support of the NSC's decisions.

“If any harm comes to this country, the Pakistan Peoples Party will stand shoulder to shoulder, with full force, with the Supreme Commander of our Armed Forces - the President of Pakistan, our Federal Government, and our Armed Forces,” the CM said. He added, “And the enemy should know that we are fully capable of countering and defeating the propaganda being spread through the media. The entire nation stands united against this aggression from India.”

Talking about the Indus water Treaty, the chief minister said, “India decided to hold it [Indus Water Treaty] in abeyance, which was not within its power, and the announcement is just for the consumption of the Indian people. He [Modi] showed them that he could go to such an extent. “He is playing to the galleries and unstatesmanlike announced.” Mr Shah said and added, “I think Indian media is very weak. If such an announcement has been made here in the Pakistani media would have questioned whom you are fooling. It is written in the agreement that you cannot withdraw it unilaterally. But Indian media is not as alive as is of Pakistan. Indian media is not free; that’s why they have bought this lame announcement, which is not under his purview.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah strongly criticised the unilateral decisions made regarding the controversial canal project initiated by the caretaker Punjab government earlier this year. He declared the recent cancellation of the project a “victory for the federation, democracy, and the people of Sindh.”

Flanked by provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Jam Khan Shoro,  at the Chief Minister’s House, Mr Shah reiterated that no practical work had been undertaken on the canal project; only a model had been developed to attract investment. “The project has not received approval from any competent forum,” he confirmed. “We challenged it in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). I also raised this issue clearly on the floor of the assembly.”

The Chief Minister explained that there were two types of protesters: those who genuinely opposed the canals as being against the interests of the province, and others attempting to gain political mileage by encroaching on the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) public mandate. “In June 2024, we were bound to address this situation head-on when we challenged the IRSA certificate in the CCI,” he added.

Regarding the Cholistan Canal project, Mr. Shah revealed that on January 17, 2024, the caretaker Punjab government had requested the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to issue a water availability certificate, which IRSA granted despite Sindh’s opposition. “The PPP government in Sindh challenged this decision in June 2024,” he noted, adding that any province opposing an IRSA decision has the right to challenge it before the CCI. “If the CCI decides to withdraw the certificate, the project becomes automatically nullified,” he said.

Referring to a meeting chaired by President Asif Zardari on July 8, 2024, Murad Shah clarified that only the Interior Minister from the federal government attended the session; no representative from the Ministry of Water & Power, IRSA, or other relevant authorities was present. “The President does not have the authority to approve development projects. Although a tweet announced the project’s approval, communication on the matter went silent soon after,” he explained. He added, “Once we challenged it, the process could not proceed,” asserting that had the CCI ruled in favour of the project, it would have been taken to a joint session of Parliament.

Mr Shah emphasised that the PPP was not in power when the caretaker government initiated the project. “Those hoping to see the canal built want the PPP out of power so they can push it through,” he alleged.

The Chief Minister clarified that while peaceful protests were acceptable, public disruptions were not. He stated that protests should not block roads or hinder daily life. He referenced a recent meeting in Islamabad with Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Cheema, and the Attorney General, during which the Sindh delegation successfully convinced federal authorities that the project was unfeasible.

Following this, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a joint media talk where they officially announced the project’s cancellation. The Chief Minister noted that the Prime Minister had convened a CCI meeting scheduled for May 2, 2025, assuring that the issue of water non-availability would be highlighted during discussions. Shah emphasized, “No canal project can be initiated without inter-provincial consensus.”

Murad Shah explained that the CCI comprises eight members, with five from the PML-N and two from the PPP (the CMs of Sindh and Balochistan), indicating a majority that supports shelving the project. “The matter will be formally referred back to the CCI,” he said, reiterating that the Prime Minister has no precedent for issuing a notification with his signature, countering critics who questioned the official nature of the announcement.

Calling the development a “win-win,” Mr. Shah stated that the decision was not politically motivated but aimed at broader national unity and democratic principles. “The people’s voice has been heard and respected,” he affirmed.

Despite the cancellation, a large public rally is being planned in Sukkur to celebrate the decision, with participants from across the division expected to attend. “The final decision to scrap the new canals project will be formally ratified in the upcoming CCI meeting in May,” the Chief Minister announced.

Murad Shah praised Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for his commitment, noting that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar had confirmed that the project was not under consideration by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

The Chief Minister emphasized that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) mobilized public support against the canal project based on solid provincial interests. “The Indus Water Treaty cannot be altered unilaterally," he stated, criticizing India’s recent position as invalid under international law.

In response to a question, Mr. Shah reiterated that Sindh would never support decisions that benefit one province at the expense of another. “While Punjab may see advantages, lower riparian provinces like Sindh would suffer, and we will vigorously resist such actions.”

Addressing concerns raised by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) and the legal community, the Chief Minister clarified that the Prime Minister cannot directly withdraw any items from the Council of Common Interests (CCI), as some protestors have proposed. Instead, such matters are either withdrawn or approved through a voting process. The PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) members hold the majority in the CCI, and through a majority decision, the canal projects will be sent back to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), as the Prime Minister has committed, which was reflected in their press statement issued following the meeting between the Prime Minister and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad on Thursday.

The Chief Minister called on protestors to clear the roads and restore normalcy, questioning the political motivations behind the ongoing demonstrations. “Given India’s hostile actions, we must stand united rather than fall into divisive politics,” he stated.

The PPP Chairman has appointed MNA Khursheed Shah and Nisar Khuhro to engage with the protestors. “The PPP opposed this project long before others did, and it was due to our efforts that it was scrapped,” he remarked.

Shah also reminded the public that the controversial 1991 Water Accord was signed when the PPP was not in power. He referenced the Chobara Project, which was taken up in 2021 during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, asserting that the Sindh government opposed it, resulting in the project not moving forward. He mentioned that PTI members in the Sindh Assembly had supported the Sindh government’s resolution against the Chobara Project in 2021, which he commended.

Regarding the Greater Thal Canal, Shah noted that although it was constructed before 2008, the extension has been challenged and halted. “Ironically, those blocking the roads today were part of the government when that project was approved.”

He concluded by stating that the PPP has never compromised on Sindh’s water rights, from the time of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to President Asif Ali Zardari. “The Council of Common Interests remains the only legal forum for such decisions—no unilateral action will be accepted.”