Darrier and Minister of Foreign Affairs ISHAQ DAR said on Monday that the Sindh’s share of water would not be compromised due to the six-channel channel project on the Industry river, while demonstrations against the project are continuing in the province.
Speaking in the National Assembly, he reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to maintain provincial water rights.
“The government deals with the question of water distribution with transparency and care,” he said, adding that the channel project – first proposed in July 2023 – had been delayed at Sindh’s request to allow in -depth examination.
“I urged my colleagues not to make any decision without complete consultation. We are partners, not dictators, ”said DAR, confirming that the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) had not approved the project and that stakeholder consent was still pending.
Addressing political criticism, Dar rejected accusations of theft of water. “The allegations that Punjab steals Sindh’s water is completely baseless,” he said, accusing certain political groups of exploiting the issue to obtain relevance.
He revealed that during a recent meeting with the Sindh -Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, he proposed an independent technical assessment of the project to protect the Sindh water rights. In addition, two new telemetry surveillance points are installed to improve transparency, he said.
“We do not push this project for political reasons,” said Dar. “We manipulate it with wisdom and balance.”
The DPM reaffirmed membership of the 1991 water agreement, declaring: “No province, including Punjab, will receive water intended for the Sindh. That there is no doubt – the share of Sindh water is secure. ”
Calling on unity and cooperation, Dar urged managers to avoid politicizing the problem. “Pakistan is a federation of four provinces, and our strength lies in unity. We have to move forward with equity and transparency. ”
Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, leader of the Pakistani peoples party (PPP), also addressed the session, stressing the urgency of resolving water distribution disputes. “PPP is fully determined to protect the rights of all provinces,” he said.
The PPP MNA Shazia Marri echoes these concerns, qualifying the water crisis a national problem which requires a serious dialogue rather than blaming the games.
The MNA Ejaz Jakhrani underlined the constructive commitment between political parties, adding that equal rights for all provinces is essential to justice and national unity.