PPP can utilize its strength, power to halt the Cholistan project, says Sindh Chief Minister
‘Cholistan canal poses threat not only to Sindh but entire nation. PPP will use its power if it becomes necessary,’ Murad Shah says claiming that no construction work of canal has yet been started
Staff Report
Karachi, Sindh
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah categorically said on Saturday that Pakistan People’s Party has the strength, capability, and authority to stop the Cholistan project and added that ‘this power will be used if it becomes necessary’.
Speaking to the media at the CM House, he said, “We are prepared to go to any lengths to protect the rights of Sindh”, which he described as the rights of the people of Pakistan.
“However, If our concerns are acknowledged, there should be no need for extreme measures,” he remarked and added that PPP’s voice or the voice of the people of Sindh has been heard, that’s why the Punjab government has not utilized the allocated Rs.45 billion on the construction of Cholistan Canal.
Shah, flanked by his Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, stated that the opposition wants the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) to remove the federal government, but the PPP will not pursue their agenda. He mentioned that, at the request of the Sindh government, work has not yet begun on the Cholistan Canal. Additionally, he noted that they have developed a small model to showcase to potential investors.
Chief Minister said that when his team visited the site in February, no work was being carried out. “I instructed the team to visit a canal near the Indian border. When they went there, they found that no work was happening.”
Murad Shah stated that Pakistan faces acute water scarcity. He pointed out that from 1999 to 2024, the Tarbela Dam has only reached its full capacity for 17 days in 25 years, while the Mangla Dam has filled to its capacity for only 4 days. He raised the question, “If we are unable to fill our dams, how will we be able to flow the new canals proposed by the federal government?”
Shah stated that the estimated cost of this project was initially Rs.218 billion, which has now likely increased to Rs.225 billion, and upon further examination, the cost may rise even more. “According to the original project plan, a dam was supposed to be constructed in Chiniot, which was a $3 billion project,” the CM said. He added that the Punjab government had mentioned in the Rs.218 billion PC-1 that they would spend Rs.45 billion in the first year, against which not a single penny has been utilized so far.”
The Cholistan Canal poses a threat not only to Sindh but also to the nation, and that was why three provinces of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunistan, have already expressed their opposition to it, Murad Shah said.
The Chief Minister stated that some people believe the Cholistan Canal has been constructed, which is why Sindh is facing a water shortage, while others think that work on the project is progressing fast. “In reality, no work is currently underway; the media should help inform the public about the facts: the project has not yet been initiated.
The CM shared historical context, noting that the idea of developing Cholistan with irrigation canals dates back to 1919 but was rejected by the British. He explained that during the caretaker government’s tenure, the Punjab government sought a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for water allocation from IRSA, claiming there was sufficient water flow. However, he countered that the actual flow has significantly decreased over time.
Shah highlighted that from 1976 to 1999, the average downstream flow at Kotri dropped dramatically by 2023 and has continued to decline. He questioned the justification for additional water allocation to Punjab, stressing that Sindh’s resources are already under strain.
CM dismissed claims that President Zardari approved the project, stating that project approvals lie within the jurisdiction of proper government bodies and require provincial consensus. He clarified that the Sindh Assembly has passed a resolution against the project, with both the Pakistan People’s Party and opposition parties united in their opposition.
Murad Shah called on the Prime Minister to reject the project unless a proper consultation process is followed, reiterating that the final decision lies with the federal government and the CCI, which has yet to meet on the issue.
Responding to the questions, he emphasized the need to convene a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting to resolve this matter once and for all.
Speaking about Green Pakistan Initiative, Shah mentioned that under the Green Pakistan Initiative, the Punjab government allocated nearly 1.2 million acres of land during the caretaker government. The project involves the installation of solar tube wells using subsoil water. Over 50 solar tube wells have been set up, cultivation has started, and the land has been levelled.
The Chief Minister added that an “Agri Mall” concept has also been introduced under this initiative, providing farmers with fertilizers and other necessary supplies in one place. “The PC-1 of this entire project is available, and land has been designated for corporate farming. Any major investor can come in and acquire 5,000 acres of land. However, as per my information, no one has shown interest yet,” he said.
Regarding green initiatives in Sindh, the CM mentioned that 54,000 acres in Umerkot, Dadu, and Badin have been designated for green projects. “If there is any settlement on the allotted land, it would not be disturbed,” he said. He said that in Umerkot, cultivation has already begun using available water supplies. “Projects that benefit both Sindh and the country will receive support, but not at the cost of constructing a new canal,” he said.
To a question, he pointed out that the Chief Minister of Punjab and the Army Chief launched the Green Pakistan initiative in Punjab, not a new canal. He added that the Army Chief recently visited Karachi to inaugurate a Technology Park and he was with him. “The COAS also wants to launch an Economic Zone and a Golf Course,” he said.
To a question regarding the construction of the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway, the CM said that he has offered the federal government a partnership for constructing the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway. The federal government has approved the construction of an 18-meter track in Punjab, not a new Motorway,” he added.
He pointed out that historically when there were no canals, inundation canal systems allowed for the cultivation of four million acres in Sindh compared to one million in Punjab.
In 2018, a study was conducted predicting that 4,122 cusecs would be diverted through a canal. On January 17, 2024, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) granted approval, to which Sindh expressed dissent. He also noted that as per plan prepared by the Punjab government during floods, the Chenab and Sutlej rivers receive substantial amounts of water, which they consider surplus, and that would be diverted to Cholistan Canal.
Read: Indus River: ChatGPT Endorses Concerns and Rights of Sindh
The CM said that the Cholistan project has created unrest among the people of three provinces, Sindh, Balochistan and KPK- in Sindh people have become extremely protestant.
To a question, he said, “Yes, I am opposed to the 1991 Accord, particularly because it addresses issues from 1945 onward,” he said and added, “Punjab created some new water sources and legalized them through this accord. Another clause states that each province is allowed to construct new water canals, which goes against the principles of irrigation. The rightful owners of the rivers are those who live along their banks- which means the peoples of Pakistan.
To a question, the CM said that historically, CCI had made all the decisions in consensus except for the tenure of Imran Khan, in which the Sindh government opposed the census and matter was referred to the parliament.
In every meeting, he said he had opposed the Cholistan canal and convinced the federal ministers, and other concerned that this canal could not be constructed, which is why the project has been halted.
While discussing Karachi’s water issues, Syed Murad Ali Shah stated that the federal government initially launched the K-IV water project, but the Sindh government has now secured Rs.80 billion in funding with the support of the World Bank. He emphasized that the expansion of the Hub Dam will significantly increase Karachi’s water supply, helping to address the city’s growing demand.
He further highlighted that the Sindh government is actively working on multiple initiatives to improve water infrastructure, including upgrading pipelines, reducing water losses, and enhancing distribution networks. “We are committed to ensuring a sustainable and long-term solution for Karachi’s water needs,” he added.
Read: Why is Pakistan’s new canal project sparking water shortage fears?
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