KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has declared that the PPP possesses the strength and capability to halt the Cholistan project, emphasising that this power will be exercised only if necessary.

“We are prepared to go to any lengths to protect the rights of Sindh. However, if our concerns are acknowledged, there should be no need for extreme measures,” said the chief minister while talking to a group of media persons at CM House on Saturday.

He affirmed the PPP’s readiness to protect Sindh’s rights, which he described as the rights of all Pakistanis. He clarified that the PPP was in no hurry to remove the federal government on the call of opposition parties.

CM Shah says PPP in no hurry to pursue opposition’s agenda to topple federal govt

He noted that the Punjab government has not yet utilised the Rs45 billion allocated for the Cholistan Canal construction, indicating that the PPP’s voice had been heard.

He pointed out Pakistan’s acute water scarcity and stated that the Tarbela Dam has only reached its full capacity for 17 days in 25 years, while the Mangla Dam has filled to its capacity for only four days. He questioned the feasibility of new canals proposed by the federal government, given the current inability to fill existing dams.

The chief minister highlighted that the project’s estimated cost has risen from Rs218 billion to Rs225 billion, potentially increasing further. He stressed that the Cholistan Canal threatens Sindh and the nation, with three provinces already opposing it.

He called on the prime minister to reject the project unless proper consultation was conducted. Mr Shah also sought a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting to resolve the issue.

The chief minister discussed the Green Pakistan Initiative, noting that Punjab has allocated 1.2 million acres for solar tube wells and corporate farming. In Sindh, 54,000 acres have been designated for green projects, with cultivation underway.

He highlighted the importance of projects benefiting both Sindh and the nation without new canal construction.

Regarding the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, the chief minister offered a partnership with the federal government for its construction. He noted historical canal systems allowed for broader cultivation in Sindh, opposing the 1991 Accord due to its impact on water rights.

While observing that the Cholistan project had caused unrest in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he called for consensus-driven decisions. He also discussed Karachi’s water issues and the K-IV project.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2025