Senior Sindh Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, has stated that the contentious canal issue has been fully resolved and brought to an end under the leadership of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Express News reported.
In his statement on Sunday, Memon praised the “tireless efforts and effective strategy” employed by Bilawal, which he said had successfully resolved the canal dispute. He emphasized that the issue has now been completely addressed.
He further announced that the matter would be officially closed after the upcoming meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on May 2. "This issue will be permanently closed following the official CCI meeting," he said. He also appealed to all political parties and the legal community to ensure the reopening of roads affected by protests.
He stressed the urgency of reopening roads to facilitate the smooth flow of goods transport and prevent further economic losses. “The closure of highways has severely impacted the public, livestock, imports, exports, farmers, and the poor," Memon stated, urging that steps be taken immediately to restore traffic.
His statement comes after at least six people, including a lawyer, were injured in Karachi’s Gulshan-i-Hadeed area on Sunday when police clashed with members of the legal fraternity during an attempt to end their five-day sit-in against the canal project.
Earlier this week, the government halted the canals project, which was inaugurated in February by Army Chief General Asim Munir and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The decision followed months of protests, a unanimous Sindh Assembly resolution opposing the project, and growing concerns over India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The government confirmed that work on the canals would remain on hold until a consensus is reached at the CCI.
However, despite the government’s announcement, protests against the issue continued across several towns in Sindh on Saturday, along with a strike called by Jamaat-i-Islami. Lawyers staged a sit-in at Babarloi in Khairpur district, and the demonstration in Karachi’s Gulshan-i-Hadeed entered its fifth day on Sunday.
Memon also suggested that if the protests are to continue, the least that can be done is to open the roads for the free movement of traffic. "It would be better if the protests are ended, but at the very least, roads should be cleared to prevent disruption of traffic. Protests should remain peaceful so that public life can return to normal," he added.
The senior minister also mentioned that the Sindh government is in constant contact with the legal community and political parties. "The Sindh government is ready for negotiations with all stakeholders," he said, calling on political parties and lawyers to keep an eye on disruptive elements.
Memon concluded by urging a collective, wise approach to decision-making, stating, "In the current national situation, we all need to make decisions carefully and together.
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