Deepening Divide in Pakistan's Ruling Coalition Over Indus Canal Initiative

Synopsis

The division between PML-N and PPP, Pakistan's ruling coalition, is escalating as PPP seeks support for a resolution against the controversial Indus River canal project, collaborating with opposition party PTI. Tensions rise as activists and political leaders call for the project to be shelved.

Key Takeaways

PML-N and PPP are clashing over the Indus canal project.
PPP plans to partner with PTI for a resolution against the canals.
Shazia Marri warns of chaos due to the federal government's handling of the issue.
$3.3 billion Green Pakistan Initiative aims to develop six canals.
Sindh province opposes the project, fearing water loss.

Islamabad, April 11 (NationPress) The widening rift between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) - the ruling coalition partners of the Pakistani government - has come to the forefront as the latter seeks to garner backing from multiple political factions for a resolution in the National Assembly opposing the construction of disputed canals on the Indus River.

According to sources within the party, the Pakistani media outlet ARY news reported on Friday that the PPP is working towards introducing a joint resolution with the opposition party, Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the canal project. In a noteworthy political realignment, the PPP has embraced PTI's proposal to present an anti-canals resolution, viewing it as a constructive step.

Previously, members of PPP protested during a National Assembly session over the exclusion of their resolution regarding canal construction on the Indus River from the day's agenda.

Recently, Shazia Marri, a member of the PPP and party spokesperson, criticized PML-N, asserting that the federal government's management of the canal issue could incite chaos in Pakistan.

"The manner in which you [federal government] are addressing it, the way you are ridiculing it, the bizarre statements being made in a province, we perceive that an effort is being made to ignite turmoil in Pakistan. We believe that peace in Pakistan is at risk," Marri declared on the floor of the House.

In recent days, the ruling coalition allies, PML-N and PPP, have been at odds over the canal project on the Indus River. While PPP has voiced its apprehensions regarding the irrigation project, PML-N has accused its coalition partner of consistently politicizing water-related issues.

The Pakistani government has initiated a $3.3 billion Green Pakistan Initiative aimed at constructing six canals to irrigate 1.2 million acres of what it identifies as unproductive land in south Punjab. However, Sindh province is opposing this decision, fearing a loss of its water allocation from the Indus River due to the establishment of these canals, according to reports from Pakistani media.

Last week, Murad Ali Shah, a leader of the PPP and Chief Minister of Sindh, declared that the PPP would not permit the central government to advance with the construction without the province's approval.

"If the canal project moves forward without Sindh's agreement, the PPP may retract its support," he cautioned during a press conference.

Activists, representatives from various political parties, civil society organizations, labor unions, and literary groups are raising their voices against the government's plan to construct six canals on the Indus River. They have been persistently urging the government to abandon the canal project.