Punjab and Sindh Clash Over Canal Project

The inter-provincial discord between Punjab and Sindh has intensified over Punjab’s proposed canal project, with Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari stating firmly that floodwaters would be utilized for the scheme, and Sindh has no authority to dictate Punjab’s use of its resources.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Bokhari openly criticized the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), questioning why the party, after 16 years of governing Sindh, had failed to prioritize the needs of its own farmers. She accused PPP leaders of interfering in Punjab’s development affairs, warning that any attempts at spreading disinformation would be met with a robust response.

Although Bokhari clarified that canal construction had not yet begun, she dismissed any notion that the project would be halted due to lack of inter-provincial consensus. “Dialogue cannot be held under threats,” she asserted, reaffirming Punjab’s plan to use surplus floodwaters from the Indus River for the canal network.

Meanwhile, Sindh has erupted in protest against the controversial plan. Demonstrations have swept across several cities, with lawyers staging a sit-in on the Sukkur-Babarlo Bypass, disrupting traffic and intensifying the political pressure. The core of the resistance revolves around Sindh’s fears of reduced water flow and the subsequent impact on agriculture and local communities downstream.

In a move to de-escalate tensions, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah and Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon have agreed to initiate talks, emphasizing the need for political dialogue to resolve the dispute.

The canal project continues to stir debate, as it touches on longstanding concerns of water rights, provincial autonomy, and resource equity. While Punjab maintains that only excess floodwater will be diverted, Sindh’s leadership and civil society remain unconvinced, citing potential threats to the province’s agricultural sustainability.