ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon have agreed to resolve the ongoing dispute over the controversial canals project through dialogue. The understanding was reached during a telephonic conversation between the two leaders, according to a statement from Memon’s spokesperson on Sunday.
The development follows Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif’s directive to the federal government to open dialogue with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on the water-sharing issue between Punjab and Sindh. Nawaz Sharif emphasized that political point-scoring must be avoided on a matter of such national importance.
During the call, PML-N Punjab President Sanaullah expressed the Centre’s willingness to address Sindh’s concerns. “We are ready for negotiations with Sindh. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif have instructed us to remove Sindh’s reservations,” he said.
Sharjeel Memon reiterated the PPP’s longstanding concerns over the disputed canals. “The Sindh government has raised its stance at every forum. We want a fair distribution of water in line with the 1991 water accord,” he said, adding that the PPP is open to talks with the Centre.
Background to the Dispute
Tensions flared earlier this year when Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Army Chief General Asim Munir jointly inaugurated the Cholistan canal project in February, aimed at irrigating lands in South Punjab. The move sparked backlash in Sindh, where the provincial assembly passed a unanimous resolution opposing the initiative in March.
Protests have since erupted across the country, with political parties and civil society voicing concerns over the alleged diversion of water from Sindh to Punjab, particularly through the TP Link Canal. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has strongly criticised the federal and Punjab governments, alleging that the project violates the principles of equitable water distribution.
The Indus River System Authority (IRSA), however, has maintained that all decisions were made in accordance with legal procedures.
PPP Warns Against Federal Overreach
On April 18, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, while addressing a rally in Hyderabad, issued a strong warning to the federal government, saying the PPP would reconsider its alliance with the Centre if the canal project was not halted. He accused the federal government of disregarding Sindh’s objections and warned against continuing down a path of confrontation.
Centre Assures No Unilateral Action
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Religious Affairs Kesoo Mal Kheal Das, speaking to the media in Hyderabad on Sunday, assured the PPP that the federal government would not take any unilateral steps. “No decision will be made that alienates any province. The reservations of the people of Sindh must be addressed,” he said.
He also noted that the controversial canal project had not yet been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) and that discussions would be taken to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) — the constitutional forum for inter-provincial matters.
Kheal Das added that he had spoken with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the issue and confirmed that efforts are underway to initiate dialogue with the PPP leadership to find an amicable resolution. “We must avoid division between provinces. Such rifts can hamper national progress,” he warned.
Political Tensions and Accusations
Commenting on a recent incident in Thatta, where his vehicle was attacked by protesters, the minister stopped short of blaming the PPP, saying, “I consider the PPP a democratic party. They have never engaged in such acts.”
He acknowledged the right to protest in a democracy but urged that political differences be resolved through dialogue, not incitement or violence. “Bilawal Bhutto is a national leader, and it’s his right to advocate for the people of Sindh,” he said.
Kheal Das concluded by warning against attempts to pit the PPP and PML-N against each other. “There are elements trying to create a rift between us. We will not allow that conspiracy to succeed.”
