PPP Sindh Council Dismisses Government's Canal Initiative on Indus River

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PPP Sindh Council Dismisses Government's Canal Initiative on Indus River

Synopsis

On March 16, 2023, the PPP Sindh Council rejected the federal government's plan to create six new canals on the Indus River, urging the government to withdraw the proposal and address concerns through the Council of Common Interests.

Key Takeaways

  • PPP Sindh Council opposes new canal projects.
  • Federal government urged to withdraw canal plans.
  • Protests in Sindh against canal construction.
  • Calls for safeguarding Sindh's water rights.
  • Political tensions rise over water management issues.

Sindh, March 16 (NationPress) Amidst escalating political tensions and divergent views, the coalition partner of the ruling Pakistani government, the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) Sindh Council, on Saturday dismissed the Centre's proposal to construct six additional canals on the Indus River.

It cautioned that Sindh would reject any new canal endeavors in the Indus River system, local media reported.

The Sindh chapter of the PPP insisted that the federal government retract the proposal and organize a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to address the province's grievances.

During a meeting of its Sindh Council, the ruling party in the province warned that Sindh would not accept any new canal initiative under the Indus River System, as reported by the prominent Pakistani newspaper, Dawn.

The PPP's Sindh Council assembly convened at the Chief Minister House and was presided over by the party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. At this gathering, Bilawal reaffirmed the PPP's opposition to any new canal project on the Indus River.

He voiced support for resolutions passed by the PPP's Sindh Council that oppose the federal government's proposed canals, highlighting that the party has consistently advocated for Sindh's water rights, according to local media reports.

Earlier this week, in response to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari's remarks in a joint parliamentary session regarding the construction of six new canals, the Save Indus River Movement (SIRM) criticized Zardari for supposedly endorsing the canal projects.

SIRM leaders at a press conference later urged the PPP to withdraw from the federal government.

Protests erupted in Sindh against the canal construction on the Indus River, with resonating calls to "let the water flow."

Demonstrations and rallies across the province witnessed an unusually high turnout, as the public sought an end to the initiative of building six additional canals on the river, as reported by the leading Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune.

Pakistan has experienced a wave of protests recently, with citizens voicing their opposition to what they describe as "anti-people policies" and the "violation" of Sindh's rights.