KARACHI: In a significant development aimed at easing tensions, the federal government has expressed readiness to engage in dialogue with the Sindh government to address concerns over the disputed canal projects.
The breakthrough came during a telephonic conversation between Adviser to Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah and Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. Both leaders agreed that the longstanding issues surrounding water resource management and canal distribution should be resolved through negotiations.
Adviser Sanaullah stated that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif had directed him to initiate talks with Sindh and address its grievances over the canal schemes. “We believe in the fair and just distribution of resources, including water, among all federating units,” he said.
Sanaullah emphasized that the federation is committed to equitable water distribution as enshrined in the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Act, ensuring that no province’s share is compromised. “There is no question of diverting one province’s share to another,” he added.
Sharjeel Memon, on behalf of the Sindh government, reiterated the province’s strong reservations regarding the controversial canal projects. He noted that both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the people of Sindh have repeatedly voiced their concerns at every available platform. “We demand water distribution strictly in accordance with the 1991 accord,” he said.
While reaffirming Sindh’s stance, Memon expressed willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with the federal government to resolve the matter amicably.
Rana Sanaullah urged all stakeholders to avoid politicising the issue and instead seek resolution through mutual understanding. He also acknowledged the PPP’s role in the federation and called upon its leadership to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities.
“The solution to every issue lies in consultation and dialogue,” the adviser remarked, assuring that the federal government respects the PPP leadership and remains committed to resolving inter-provincial matters in accordance with the law and Constitution.
The centre’s outreach comes two days after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari issued a stern warning that his party would reconsider its alliance with the ruling coalition if the federal government failed to address its concerns over the controversial canal projects.