Sindh -chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed the united opposition of his province to proposed channel projects, declaring that the people of the Sindh would not back up their position.
Addressing the media of Sehwan and Bhan Saeedabad, CM Sindh said that the inhabitants of the Sindh are “fully united and actively protest” against the construction of new channels, a plan that has triggered a growing political and public reaction in the province.
“It is not only the position of the government – the inhabitants of the Sindh clearly indicated it: we reject these channels,” said CM Sindh. “We don’t take a step back.”
CM Sindh added that the Pakistani peoples’ party (PPP) has always opposed the project, pointing out recent statements made to the National Assembly by the president of the Bilawal Bhutto Zardari party.
“President Bilawal has already been clearly specified in Parliament – these channels can in no case be supported.”
He also referred to the recent by -election in Umerkot, saying that the voters had given “a clear message” by rallying behind the PPP, despite the attempts of what he called “conspiracy elements” to divide the province.
“Social media said that only the PPP can stop these channels – and that’s right,” added CM Sindh. “Because their approval was obtained by the Government of the Guardian through IRSA, not by the elected officials of the people.”
The chief minister welcomed those who protest against the channel project, saying that peaceful demonstrations were a democratic right. However, he warned that “certain elements try to twist this problem in conspiracy against the PPP”.
Referring to the recent political rallies, CM Sindh underlined the solid public support of the PPP. “Our recent gathering in the Hyderabad division was massive. And this is only the beginning – we will soon organize major rallies in Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas and Karachi too.
He reiterated that the PPP was with people on the issue. “We are with the public on this subject,” he said, echoing the growing campaign of the party to mobilize opinion against the initiative of the canal.
The controversial proposal of the canal – which would have been approved by the Government of the Guardian through the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) – aroused significant resistance in the Sindh, where the concerns concerning the water shortage remain acute.
Meanwhile, the Association of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCBAP) bar has been strongly opposed to the construction of six new industrial channels, warning that the project could intensify interprorvincial tensions and aggravate already disastrous water shortages in the Sindh.
During its sixth meeting of the 27th Executive Committee, held at the Directorate of the SCBAP register in Lahore, the Committee adopted a series of resolutions concerning the main national concerns, in particular the distribution of water, regional security and political disorders.
