In an important development, the federal government has agreed to initiate dialogue with the Sindh government to respond to concerns about the controversial channel projects.
The breakthrough occurred during a telephone call between the adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and the Prime Minister of Sindh, Sharjeel Inam Memon. The two leaders expressed their commitment to resolving the dispute thanks to peaceful negotiations.
Rana Sanaullah said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N Nawaz Sharif chief asked the center to contact Sindh’s reserves.
“The federal government supports the distribution of fair resources between all the provinces,” he said, reiterating that no water from the province can be illegally diverted.
Sanaullah stressed that the question should not be politicized, adding that the 1991 agreement and the IRSA law saved provincial rights.
“Dialogue and consultation are the solution to each problem,” he said.
Sharjeel Memon said that the PPP and the Sindh residents were seriously concerned about the proposed channels. He reaffirmed Sindh’s position on the 1991 water distribution agreement and praised the efforts of federal dialogue.
The dispute focuses on a federal level to build six channels that divert water from the industry to irrigate the Cholistan desert. The RS211.4 billion project aims to cultivate 400,000 acres of sterile land, but has triggered strong opposition in the Sindh.
Earlier, PPP president Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned that the party could leave the ruling coalition if its concerns were not dealt with.
Political parties, civil society and nationalist groups organized generalized demonstrations across the Sindh.
