Sindh government will fight the case for its share in the waters of the Indus River on legal forums rather than stoking protests on the streets, said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah during a joint press conference with the Finance Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday.
CM Murad expressed strong reservations of the construction of canals on the Indus River for supplying water to the Cholistan Desert in Punjab. He said even though the federal government has approved new canals, there was not enough water in the system.
Ahsan Iqbal acknowledged that there were some differences between PPP and PML-N, however, these can be resolved through discussions. FinMIn affirmed that the ally of the federal government need not worry. Moreover, he said that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar was heading a committee for keeping talks open between PPP and PML-N and soon, PM Shahbaz Sharif will chair a meeting of Council of Common Interests.
He assured that all provinces will get their due share and no federating unit will be allowed to usurp the rights of the other.
Five Es
Earlier Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, addressing the Udaan Pakistan event, said that the initiative is part of the Pakistan Peoples Party's 'Five Es.' He recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto's 2008 manifesto included these Five Es, with education as a key focus. CM Murad stated that Uraan Pakistan's five E's were part of the Pakistan People's Party's 2008 manifesto. The five E's of Uraan Pakistan include Export, E-Pakistan, Environment & Climate Change, Energy & Infrastructure, and Equity, Ethics & Empowerment. Meanwhile, the manifesto presented by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in 2008 included Employment, Environment, Energy, Equity, and Education.
He noted that Ahsan Iqbal mentioned the literacy rate, emphasizing that progress is not possible with a 13% literacy rate. Education was given a prominent place among Shaheed Mohtarma's five E's, and we should move forward with the same five E's.
The CM believes that making Pakistan a trillion-dollar economy is achievable with unity. He stressed the need for progress in the energy sector, as it is crucial for increasing exports, and highlighted the need to improve infrastructure. He proposed designating the Lyari Expressway for heavy traffic and announced that Shahrah-e-Bhutto will be completed by the end of the year, providing an alternate route. He emphasised the importance of building a ring road for heavy traffic.
The Chief Minister acknowledged Pakistan's abundant talent but noted that slow internet hinders youth. He mentioned that Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has also expressed concern about this issue. He identified the growing population as a significant challenge.
Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that the Udaan Pakistan programme is an initiative of the Prime Minister and the federal government for development, reflecting the vision of the PM and Chairman Bilawal. He assured full government cooperation.
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