KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has reaffirmed the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)’s stance against the Cholistan Canal project, stating that the party has the authority and capability to halt the initiative if necessary.
He emphasized that the Sindh government is prepared to take all measures to safeguard the province’s water rights.
Addressing the media at CM House, Shah noted that Punjab has not yet utilized the Rs 45 billion allocated for the project, acknowledging that Sindh’s concerns have been heard. He highlighted that work on the Cholistan Canal has not commenced, adding that his team had inspected the site in February and found no activity.
The Chief Minister expressed serious concerns over Pakistan’s water scarcity crisis, revealing that from 1999 to 2024, Tarbela Dam has only reached full capacity for 17 days, while Mangla Dam has filled up for merely 4 days in the last 25 years. “If we cannot even fill our existing dams, how will we sustain new canals proposed by the federal government?” he questioned.
Shah disclosed that the project’s estimated cost has surged from Rs 218 billion to at least Rs 225 billion, with further increases likely. He pointed out that Punjab’s original plan included a $3 billion dam in Chiniot, but no progress has been made.
The Punjab government had planned to invest Rs 45 billion in the first year, yet no funds have been utilized.
Three provinces have already opposed the Cholistan Canal, citing risks to Sindh’s water resources and national sustainability. Shah clarified misconceptions, stating that while some believe the canal is already operational, no construction has taken place yet.
He urged the media to inform the public with accurate facts.
Providing historical context, he noted that plans for developing Cholistan with irrigation canals date back to 1919, but even the British administration rejected the proposal. He also accused Punjab of securing a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from IRSA during the caretaker government by falsely claiming sufficient water flow, whereas actual downstream water levels at Kotri have continued to decline.
Dismissing rumors that President Asif Ali Zardari approved the project, Shah asserted that such decisions require consensus among provincial governments. He reaffirmed that the Sindh Assembly, along with opposition parties, has passed a resolution against the project.
Murad Shah urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to reject the Cholistan Canal project unless proper consultations are conducted, reiterating that the final decision lies with the federal government and the Council of Common Interests (CCI), which has yet to deliberate on the issue.
