Cholistan Canal resurrects old rivalries

Sindh calls new canal unconstitutional; Punjab hits back

HYDERABAD/LAHORE:

The storm intensifies over Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's continued defence of the controversial Cholistan Canal project, with Sindh leaders terming it a violation of constitutional norms and Punjab insisting it was exercising its lawful rights over its own waters.

Strongly denouncing the Punjab chief minister's stance, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has termed it a violation of decisions made by the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

Speaking to reporters in Larkana on Saturday, PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro urged PML-N supremo Mian Nawaz Sharif to take notice of the matter and clarify his party's policy regarding the construction of new dams and canals.

"The CCI has already rejected and buried such controversial projects," Khuhro stated, asserting that no canal can be constructed on the Indus River without the consensus of all federating units.

He stressed that Maryam, despite holding the office of Punjab's chief minister, is neither above the Constitution nor empowered to override the decisions of the CCI. "Even Nawaz Sharif could not build the Kalabagh Dam in the 1990s despite his strong advocacy. How can his daughter now attempt to revive a similar controversy?" Khuhro asked.

"Punjab is free to undertake projects on its own rivers, but it has no authority to interfere with the waters of the Indus, which belong to all provinces," he added.

He credited Nawaz Sharif with political maturity for eventually withdrawing his support for the Kalabagh dam project, contrasting it with what he termed Maryam's continued disregard for constitutional and institutional consensus.

The PPP leader also accused the PML-N government in Punjab of deliberately withholding financial assistance to flood-affected communities through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) due to the PPP's growing popularity in the province.

"Rather than offering relief to those affected by floods, the Punjab government seems more focused on political posturing," Khuhro said, demanding that the provincial government disclose what form of relief or assistance it has provided thus far.

Khuhro reiterated that the PPP would continue to defend Sindh's constitutional rights and resist any move aimed at undermining the province's water share.

'Interference in Punjab matters'

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari swiftly responded to the PPP's criticism, rejecting what she described as the PPP's attempt to "interfere in Punjab's matters".

In a strongly worded statement, the PML-N leader asserted that Punjab had the foremost right to its own resources.

"Punjab does not need to ask for permission from anybody to use its share of water," she said. "Maryam Nawaz will provide Punjab's farmers their share of water at all costs."

She further accused the PPP of exploiting flood devastation for political gain, warning that Punjab would remember the party's "negative attitude" during testing times.

She also accused the PPP of "habitual interference" in Punjab's governance and of crossing constitutional boundaries.

Bukhari said that interfering in the affairs of another province was "unconstitutional" and alleged that the PPP had "continuously overstepped its constitutional authority by meddling in Punjab's matters."

She said that those "who chant 'Marso, Marso' at every turn are now playing the provincial card". The PPP appeared to be "either losing its senses or fearful of Maryam Nawaz's growing popularity," she added.

"Just two weeks ago, the media didn't even bother to give them coverage," she said. "Now they are trying to get headlines by making sarcastic remarks about Punjab's flood victims and farmers."

Taking aim at the Sindh government, the minister said, "Your party has ruled Sindh for 17 years … why haven't you purchased wheat from your farmers? The nation deserves an answer".

"How long will you continue to live in Punjab while serving as slaves to Sindh's feudal lords? Punjab does not need permission from any other province to use its own share of water."

Bukhari asserted that Punjab's people had the foremost right over the province's resources, adding, "Maryam Nawaz will ensure that Punjab's farmers receive their rightful share of water at all costs."

She said Maryam's statements in defence of Punjab's rights seemed to have "deeply unsettled" the PPP.

"The province where PPP has been ruling for 17 years is buried under its own problems," she remarked.

The provincial information minister warned that Punjab would not forget the PPP's attitude during its time of crisis. "When Punjab's people were struggling, the PPP mocked their suffering. The people of Punjab will not forget this negative behaviour," Bukhari added.