ISLAMABAD: After discussions with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), PM Shehbaz announced that, the federal government will refrain from constructing any new canals until existing water disputes are settled through the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
This announcement was made during a joint press conference with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, where PM Shehbaz emphasized the importance of provincial consensus in decisions related to canal projects. “We have come to a mutual understanding and will convene a CCI meeting on May 2 to address these issues alongside all stakeholders, including leaders from both the PPP and PML-N,” he stated.
Bilawal Bhutto welcomed the decision as a vital step towards addressing ongoing public concerns about the fairness of water distribution policies. He said, “Today’s announcements ensure no canals will be constructed without mutual agreement. These resolutions will be officially confirmed in the forthcoming CCI meeting.”
Additionally, Bilawal condemned India’s recent actions concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, expressing the PPP’s commitment to oppose these moves vigorously. “We stand united with the government in countering India’s violations and will respond decisively,” he declared.
In the Senate, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar reiterated that the contentious issue of canals would be addressed in accordance with the constitution and through appropriate consultations with the Sindh government, emphasizing a collaborative approach to resolving the dispute.
In a related initiative, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif have encouraged party members to engage in dialogue with the PPP to tackle the ongoing water dispute and issues surrounding canal construction.
Bilawal thanked the prime minister for listening to PPP’s concerns and making decisions accordingly. The PPP chairman reiterated that no canal would be built without mutual agreement and expressed confidence that this cooperation would help address public grievances.
“Three provinces have opposed Kalabagh Dam, and we’ve also reached a consensus on that,” he said
