Concerns Over Canals Project to Be Addressed, Assures Rana Sanaullah

ISLAMABAD: Rana Sanaullah, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, conveyed assurance on Monday to Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, stating that all apprehensions pertaining to the debated canals initiative would be duly addressed.

This commitment was made during their second telephone conversation, in which both leaders concurred to maintain discussions and proceed towards a cordial resolution of the issue.

The federal government proposed a dialogue opportunity shortly after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari cautioned that his party might sever ties with the ruling coalition, headed by the PML-N, if their concerns about the controversial canals project remained unresolved by the federal administration.

The discussed canals project has emerged as a source of disagreement between the two significant political entities, currently allied at the federal level.

At the core of the matter is the federal government’s intention to reroute water from the Indus River through the development of six canals, aimed at irrigating the Cholistan desert. This initiative faces opposition from the PPP, a crucial ally, along with various nationalist factions within the province.

According to official sources, the Cholistan canal system carries an estimated price tag of Rs211.4 billion. The project aims to convert vast expanses of arid terrain into arable land, potentially bringing 400,000 acres under cultivation.

Virtually all political and religious parties, alongside nationalist organizations and civil society groups, have organized extensive demonstrations throughout Sindh in opposition to the contested plan.

During the call, Sanaullah stated that all matters would be resolved through collective understanding and discussion.

He reaffirmed that the Water Apportionment Accord strictly prohibits the inter-provincial transfer of water. He clarified that the matter of water distribution is fundamentally an administrative and technical one, which will be addressed using administrative and technical expertise.

The adviser guaranteed that no province would be denied its rightful allocation and that all objections would be dealt with via a broad consultative process.

During their initial telephonic discussion on April 20, Memon voiced Sindh’s significant concerns about the disputed canals, emphasizing the PPP and the province of Sindh’s demand for equitable water distribution as per the 1991 Water Accord.

He restated the province’s desire to engage in discussions with the federal government.

Sanaullah, for his part, underscored the importance of dialogue over political maneuvering, advocating for a resolution through consultation. He affirmed that the federal government values the PPP’s position in the federation and that no province’s water can be diverted to another.