Sindh CM calls for constitutional protection of 1991 Water Accord

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday called for providing constitutional cover to the 1991 Water Accord, emphasising that the provincial government would never compromise on the province’s water share.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party [PPP] demands constitutional protection for the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991, despite its shortcomings, to ensure its implementation in true letter and spirit,” Shah said replying to a question during a media talk at the World Children’s Day celebrations at Nishan-e-Pakistan.

He stressed that the PPP would never compromise on the province’s water rights. He reiterated the party’s longstanding opposition to the Kalabagh Dam, a position that dates back to the time of Benazir Bhutto, who had held a historic sit-in at Kamo Shaheed in District Ghotki. Talking about the party’s role as the province’s representative, Shah said: “The PPP is the true voice of Sindh, and we won’t allow a single drop of Sindh’s water to be taken away.”

His remarks underscore the province’s consistent resistance to projects perceived as harmful to its water rights. He emphasised the necessity for the complete implementation of the 1991 Water Accord, and urged that it be granted constitutional protection to safeguard Sindh’s water rights.

He also pointed out the PPP’s significant political position in Sindh, saying that the party holds a two-thirds majority in the provincial assembly and represents over 70 per cent of the province’s population.