SUKKUR/GUDDU: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has said that his party has always supported construction of non-controversial dams in the country.

He was responding to journalists’ questions during his visit to Sukkur and Guddu barrages on Tuesday.

“From Quaid-i-Awam [Zulfikar Ali Bhutto] to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, we have supported construction of dams, including Diamer Bhasha, on technical grounds,” he said.

“PPP supports those dams which are politically and technically feasible,” he said, and explained that on the dam projects that lacked a consensus, the PPP raised its voice and would continue to do so.

Bilawal explained PPP’s stance on new dams amid a resurging controversy triggered by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s Sept 1 statement that “construction of Kalabagh Dam is essential for the state”. Speaking to the media in KP House in Islamabad, Gandapur had stressed that “concerns over the controversial project should be addressed through dialogue”.

Briefed on flood situation during his visit to Sukkur and Guddu barrages; asks PM to immediately release BISP funds for flood victims, make appeal to world for assistance

Bilawal Bhutto warned that “talking about constructing controversial dams only weakens Pakistan’s case at the international level”.

In reply to a question, he said construction of a new barrage was beyond the capacity of a single provincial government, and added that such projects must be carried out collectively.

Bilawal noted that the recent rains and floods had caused widespread devastation across the country, including Gilgit-Baltis­tan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. He expressed his concern over the situation in Punjab which he said was particularly grave, with Multan, Kasur and Jalalpur Pirwala being among the worst-affected areas.

The PPP chairman also asked residents of Sindh’s riverine areas to fully cooperate with the administration, and move to safe areas to safeguard their own lives and those of their family members.

Assistance to affected people

Bilawal observed that for the last two weeks, flood victims in Punjab had been waiting for assistance. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure immediate financial aid for the flood-affected districts across the country, including Punjab and Sindh, through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). He said that the BISP was the only immediate source of relief for the victims, but he could not understand why the funds had not yet been released. “I will take up this matter with the prime minister,” he added.

Indian aggression

The PPP chairman condemned India for releasing huge deluges into Pakistan’s territory amid heavy rains in the region. “[Prime Minister Narendara] Modi has launched a historic assault on the Indus River, and we want all provinces to stand together as brothers to counter India’s aggression. Pakistan’s strong stance on the Indus Water Treaty has been recognised globally, and we will continue to raise our voice for the Indus both at home and abroad,” he said.

He stressed that future infrastructure in the country must be developed keeping climate change in view. All governments should review their policies in this regard, he said.

Bilawal once again urged the federal government to make an appeal to the international community for assistance in dealing with the devastation caused by floods, adding that such an appeal should have been made on the very first day.

He said that the floodwaters were now moving from Punjab towards Sindh. There are 45 vulnerable points identified along the Indus River. He expressed his confidence that the Sindh government had the capacity to confront the situation, and noted that the administration was fully prepared for any eventuality.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and several ministers and lawmakers accompanied Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during his visit to the barrages.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2025