Sindh CM Murad Warns Federal Govt of Pulling Support Over Canal Project

LAHORE (RNN TV) — Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has warned that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) may consider pulling support from the federal government if the controversial canal project isn’t halted. However, he stressed that the party prefers dialogue over confrontation.

He pointed out that even during the caretaker setup, a certificate from the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) had been secured. “We don’t want another interim government making decisions that cause long-term disputes,” he said. “The PML-N should reflect on this too—I believe they wouldn’t want such a scenario either.”

Echoing his stance, senior PPP leader and Sindh Minister Nasir Hussain Shah issued a stronger warning on Nadeem Malik Live, stating the PPP wouldn’t hesitate to leave the federal coalition.
“It would take us two minutes to walk away,” he said. “If PPP hadn’t backed the PML-N, elections could’ve been delayed by nine years.”

Nasir criticized plans to extract more water from the Indus River, warning that it would diminish Sindh’s water share. While he acknowledged some positive signals from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, and Rana Sanaullah, he also noted that other PML-N figures had “rubbed salt on wounds.”

“We still hope the Prime Minister will take a positive step,” he added. “But since there’s been no communication, Bilawal Bhutto has decided to take the issue to the public through rallies.”

Responding to the growing tensions, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the canal issue is more political than technical. Speaking on the same program, he clarified that the government has no intention of imposing decisions on provinces regarding the canal project or the Mines and Minerals Bill.

“Resource distribution in Pakistan follows constitutional agreements and legal frameworks,” he said. “This isn’t a new dispute, nor will it alter provincial boundaries. Any talks will respect the law.”

Source: Web Desk