Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday described the scrapping of the controversial Cholistan Canal project as a landmark victory for the province and a triumph of constitutional justice.
This he said while addressing jubilant party workers at the Old Terminal in Karachi. Welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd after attending the crucial Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, Murad explained that the project, approved during the caretaker government, was annulled through a democratic and legal process.
He credited the move to the efforts of President Asif Ali Zardari, the federal and provincial governments, and the collective will of the people of Sindh.
Vowing to defend Pakistan against any hostile designs from India, Murad declared that any malicious intentions would be effectively countered. He praised the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) leadership, particularly Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, for advocating Sindh’s case before the CCI and securing a favourable decision.
The chief minister detailed that the IRSA certification for the availability of water, issued on January 17, 2024, during the caretaker setup, and the ECNEC’s conditional approval granted on February 7, 2024, had both been annulled. He underlined that the Sindh government had constitutionally challenged the IRSA certification upon assuming office in June 2024.
Highlighting the extensive public mobilisation led by Chairman Bilawal, the chief minister noted major rallies held in Garhi Khuda Bux, Hyderabad, and Sukkur, which drew unprecedented crowds. During these events, Bilawal Bhutto clearly articulated opposition to the canal project, building momentum towards its cancellation.
Murad Shah revealed that Chairman Bilawal met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on April 24, urging an immediate scrapping of the project. A communique issued from the PM Secretariat confirmed the federal government’s decision to abandon the canal plan. Shah criticised political detractors for misleading the public regarding signatures on project approvals, clarifying that such decisions are made at forums like ECNEC and CCI, not individually signed by the president or prime minister.
The chief minister stated that a CCI meeting initially scheduled for May 2 was expedited to April 28, following intervention by President Zardari and requests from Sindh’s leadership. The meeting formally rejected the canal project, with consensus among the provinces that no new projects would proceed without interprovincial agreement, reaffirming commitment to the 1991 Water Accord.
The chief minister condemned the spread of misinformation about the IRSA certification and expressed gratitude to all CCI members and the prime minister for their support. He emphasised that the cancellation was achieved through constitutional means, with all four provinces aligning on justice and fairness.
Recounting his conversation with President Zardari about the urgency of the matter, he said the president’s intervention helped accelerate the CCI meeting date, reinforcing PPP’s commitment to safeguarding provincial rights.
The chief minister stressed that PPP leadership, especially Bilawal Bhutto, had instructed the Sindh government to either achieve justice in the CCI or disengage from the process, demonstrating their resolve. Murad lauded the people of Sindh for their unwavering support since 1970, noting their empowerment allowed the party to successfully advocate for their rights at the federal forum.
While appreciating the contributions of activists and lawyers, he voiced disapproval of protest tactics that inconvenienced the public. He reiterated that the canal project’s cancellation is not just a victory for Sindh but for the entire nation.
Addressing the ongoing sitin at Babar Loi, Murad urged the protestors to honour their commitment to end their demonstration following the issuance of the official notification cancelling the project.