PML-N top leadership Nawaz Sharif and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to address all canal-related and inter-provincial issues through dialogue and mutual understanding.
The development comes amid growing concerns about the politicisation of the water crisis, especially in Sindh, where the PPP has been vocal about alleged injustices in resource distribution.
Echoing the leadership’s message, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah emphasised that water — a critical lifeline for agriculture and industry — should not be politicised.
“There should be no politics on the water issue. Problems must be resolved at the table,” he stated in an official statement on Saturday.
Rana Sanaullah reaffirmed his party’s commitment to fair distribution of all resources, including water, among the provinces. “We fully believe in equitable distribution. The PPP is an integral part of the federation, and when holding constitutional positions, we must speak with responsibility,” he added.
Highlighting the existing legal mechanisms, the senior adviser cited the 1991 Water Accord and the 1992 IRSA (Indus River System Authority) Act as binding frameworks that prevent any form of injustice between provinces.
“No province's water can be diverted to another. Our Constitution and laws are clear on this matter,” he asserted, assuring that the rights of all provinces are protected under the federation’s legal framework.
Rana Sanaullah stressed the importance of inter-provincial harmony, noting that “the strength of the provinces is the strength of the federation.”
He said the government will continue with its past approach of respecting provincial autonomy and resolving issues through consultation. “There will be no compromise on the rights of the units and the people. Dialogue and consultation remain the only viable solutions,” he concluded.
