Backdoor negotiations are underway between the PML-N and PPP leadership over the construction of new canals and the convening of a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, sources revealed.

According to insiders, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken an active role in addressing PPP’s concerns, engaging in talks with PPP leadership and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to reach an amicable resolution through consensus.

No clash despite majority in CCI

Despite the PML-N holding a majority in the CCI, sources confirm that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is keen on resolving the matter without confrontation, opting instead for dialogue and mutual understanding.

As chairman of the Council of Common Interests, the prime minister has the authority to call a meeting on urgent matters. However, sources indicate that he intends to consult with all provinces before making a final decision.

The last CCI meeting was held on January 29, 2024, and no further sessions have been convened since then. The PPP leadership has been pushing for a new meeting to address key concerns, particularly regarding water resources and canal construction.

On March 29, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had strongly opposed the construction of new canals, particularly the Cholistan Canal, stating that such projects threaten Sindh’s water rights and the ecological balance of the Indus River.

During a meeting with senior journalists in Karachi, he reiterated that his government would resist any attempt to build canals without provincial consensus.

Also Read: Govt can't function without PPP, will protect Sindh's interests at all costs: Murad

Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the Indus River was the lifeline of Sindh and warned the federal government against proceeding with projects that could disrupt the province’s water supply. “We will not allow the construction of canals in any form. The PPP has always stood against such projects, just as we did with the Kalabagh Dam,” he stated.

Opposition to Cholistan Canal

The Sindh CM specifically raised concerns about the Cholistan Canal, which he claims is being pursued without proper consultation. He accused the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) of issuing an incorrect water certificate and challenged the data being used to justify the project. “If, as claimed, 27MAF (million acre-feet) of water is flowing into the delta, why is our delta drying up instead of turning green?” he had questioned.

Shah also criticized the Punjab government’s decision to allocate land for corporate farming under the Green Pakistan Initiative, arguing that such projects should be implemented fairly across all provinces. He revealed that Sindh has provided land for the initiative in Umarkot and Dadu, but the province remains concerned about the unequal distribution of resources.

Federal govt's role & political divide

The chief minister had urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to officially declare that the federal government will not support the canal project. “Even if the prime minister does not make this announcement, we will continue to stand with the people of Sindh,” he asserted.

He also noted that President Asif Ali Zardari had opposed the construction of these canals during a joint parliamentary session, reinforcing the PPP’s stance against the project. He warned that, like the Kalabagh Dam controversy, the Cholistan Canal could become a divisive national issue.

Furthermore, Murad Ali Shah claimed that the opposition was attempting to destabilize the federal government and questioned whether his party should play into their hands. He maintained that PPP remained committed to safeguarding Sindh’s interests, even if it meant confronting the federal authorities.

"This government cannot function without the PPP. We will go to any extent to protect the interests of Sindh," Murad had asserted.

Water crisis & future strategy

Addressing the broader issue of water scarcity in Sindh, Shah had highlighted that the Indus River’s water supply had significantly decreased over the last 25 years. He pointed out that before Pakistan’s creation, Sindh had more agricultural land than Punjab, but now engineering and water management decisions had disadvantaged the province.

He vowed to take the matter to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to ensure Sindh’s objections are heard at the highest levels. “We will fight this legally and constitutionally,” he had stressed.