PPP, PML-N leaders clash over Cholistan canal project

Sindh CM says canal would not be built as long as PPP exists   Chaudhry Manzoor says PML-N govt killing small farmers in Punjab   Calls Rs7 cut in electricity rates a joke   Azma advises PPP to seek clarification from President Zardari.

LAHORE  –  The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) clashed on Thursday over the Cholistan Canal project, accusing each other of politicising the issue in separate media interac-tions.  Addressing a press conference, PPP Central Executive Committee member and People’s Labour Bureau in-charge Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmad raised technical concerns over the feasibility of the project. He ques-tioned when the Cholistan Canal would receive water and how the government planned to ensure year-round supply, given that floods occur only between July and September.

“Pakistan experiences high water levels only once every four to five years. How many reservoirs will be built in Cholistan? And which existing canal will be shut down to divert water for this project?” he asked, warning that water shortages in Punjab could impact Okara, Sahiwal, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalnagar. He also noted that while a new canal typically loses 14 percent of its water to seepage, the Cholistan Ca-nal could suffer up to 40 percent losses.

Chaudhry Manzoor accused the government of prioritising corporate farming at the cost of small farmers. “You are killing small farmers in Punjab in the name of corporate farming. The PPP will not allow this; we will stand with farmers everywhere,” he asserted.

He also criticised the federal government’s handling of water distribution, pointing out that Pakistan’s canal system already suffers from a 20 percent reduction in water supply. “Currently, we have 95 million acre-feet of water, while 20 million acre-feet have disappeared from the system. This shortage must be distributed among all provinces fairly,” he said.

Taking a swipe at the government, he remarked sarcastically on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent announcement of a power tariff reduction. “The Prime Minister is metaphorically kicking Hatim Tai’s grave today. You provide electricity at Rs65 per unit and then reduce it by Rs. 6—it’s a joke.”

In response, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari rebuked the PPP, stating that the party should not air its internal disputes in the media. She accused PPP leaders of habitually politicising water issues and questioned whether they had determined if the disputed water belonged to Sindh or Punjab.

“PPP leaders claim to stand with farmers, but do the farmers even support them?” she asked.

Azma Bokhari defended Punjab’s role, asserting that the province has always upheld justice in water distri-bution. “Punjab has never taken away anyone’s rights, nor has it allowed others to infringe upon its own. It has always played the role of an elder brother.”

She advised the PPP to direct its concerns to the President of Pakistan instead of questioning Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. “Can you not fight for Punjab’s rights while living in Punjab?” she remarked.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday said that the PPP won’t allow the Cen-tre to proceed with the construction without the province’s consent.

Firmly opposing the proposed construction of the Marot Canal before the media in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Shah stated: “How can the canal be constructed when it hasn’t even received approval?”

He stated that as long as the PPP existed, the canal would not be built. He lamented that some political parties, instead of opposing the canals, have taken to the streets to protest against the PPP. Shah was accompanied by provincial ministers Saeed Ghani and Nasir Hussain Shah.

It may be noted that the Marot Canal is a proposed irrigation canal designed to extend from the Sulemanki Barrage on the Sutlej River to Fort Abbas in the Cholistan Desert.

Shah clarified that in July, only preliminary profiling covering a few hundred feet was conducted, which does not equate to the commencement of construction.

He criticised certain news channels for spreading misinformation regarding the canal project and urged them to report responsibly.

Highlighting the Bilawal Bhutto-led party’s commitment to Sindh’s interests, the chief minister asserted that the party is prepared to make any sacrifice to protect the province’s rights.

He recalled past allegations against the PPP, including claims that former premier Benazir Bhutto allocated funds for the controversial Kalabagh Dam, which were proven unfounded.

Murad Shah emphasised the necessity of consulting provinces on water-related issues, as mandated by the constitution.

He revealed that despite multiple requests for a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting to discuss the canal project, no response had been received from the federal government.

“They cannot evade this issue; the constitution requires provincial consultation on water matters.”

CM Murad said that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has approved Punjab’s request for 0.8 million acre-feet (MAF) of water for the Cholistan Canal project, a decision that has generated strong opposition in Sindh, and his government has opposed it strongly.