Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari issued a stern warning to India, saying that if India attacks, then remember that either water will flow in the Indus River or their blood will.
Addressing the public gathering in Mirpurkhas, the former foreign minister made it clear that Pakistan did not believe in war. “We will now have to face Narendra Modi to save the Indus waters. Our army knows how to give a befitting response to any provocation,” Bhutto-Zardari said.
Bhutto-Zardari vowed on Thursday to expose India at the global level. He said: “The people of India also love the Indus River. Even the Indian public will not allow Modi to stop the flow of the Indus.”
The PPP chairman said that he had asked the Chief Minister to promote public-private partnerships, to make the vacant lands of Sindh productive, and to expand agricultural reform.
“Once the agricultural revolution is brought to Sindh, it will be extended across the whole of Pakistan. Just as political alliances are formed, we will form an alliance of small farmers. I will ask the Chief Minister to directly engage with them. We will ensure the use of modern technology for small farmers as well,” Bhutto-Zardari added.
He stated that new projects had been initiated to support agriculture, and subsidies would be provided to small farmers through the Benazir Ziraat Card. “We, along with the people, opposed this new project and successfully halted it. No project concerning canals will be pursued without the consent of the provinces. The Indus River is a vital part of our history and culture, and we will go to any extent to protect it,” he said.
Bhutto-Zardari stated that the farmers of Sindh and the rest of Pakistan had faced increasing difficulties.
“If new canals are built in Sindh, it could amount to economic devastation for the farmers. Although federal policy exists, the Chief Minister has been asked to support the farmers during these hard times. No one had the courage to speak against the canal builders. President Zardari was an easy target and faced criticism. In the joint session, the president clearly stated his opposition to the project,” he said.
He added that the CCI had remained a constitutional forum, where representatives from both PML-N and PTI had also been present. The President of Pakistan has assured the public that the water resources of the provinces would remain under provincial control.
“We are committed to safeguarding the people’s rights. The conspirators believed they had another chance to plot against the PPP. But the PPP continues to stand firm on its principles. The decision on the canal project was made before President Zardari assumed office,” Bhutto-Zardari said.
