HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said his party can no longer continue supporting the federal government due to its refusal to discuss or withdraw the controversial canals project.
Speaking at a massive rally held at the Hatri Bypass in Hyderabad against the canals project, he complained that they (the federal government) are neither listening to their coalition partner nor are they taking back the decision to build new canals.
The PPP chairman said that when Benazir Bhutto raised her voice against controversial dams, workers across Pakistan, including in Multan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, protested. “Just like always, those in Islamabad are blind and deaf this time too. But we are opposing this as a matter of principle because my federation is at risk.” He also said that separatists are attacking you (federal authorities) in Balochistan. When the fire of terrorism is burning across the country, you have triggered an issue that could pit brother against brother, he said, adding that there is a danger we could all die of thirst. “If the PPP doesn’t speak up, then who will stop this?”
Bilawal said that if Shehbaz Sharif is prime minister today, he should thank the people of Hyderabad, but since he’s not doing that, the PPP rejects their ministries.
He noted that projects were being imposed from Islamabad. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was “still unwilling to budge, and we are not ready to step back either.” He said: “If the choice is between Shehbaz Sharif and the people, the decision is not difficult,” he warned.
He stressed that our people’s demands must be met, and if the federal government is not ready to stop this project, then we are ready to step back. He called for economic progress in all the four provinces.
The PPP chairman remarked that the “lion” sucks the blood of the public. “Why wouldn’t I want Cholistan to develop? But first, ensure full water supply where crops are already being cultivated. If you want to develop Tharparkar and Cholistan, then by all means, but we will not let Sindh be destroyed.”
If the government cancels this project, Bilawal said, he’s ready to discuss 50 years of progress in the agriculture sector. “We have seen many difficult times and are ready to face more. We are the party that never backs down in hardship. PPP workers don’t retreat. We’re not out for ministries or to get anyone released from jail. We are out to save Sindh and the federation.”
He said the Sindh irrigation minister was threatened with NAB action, but he didn’t back down, and PPP doesn’t get scared—it stands firm.
Bilawal further warned the government not to be mistaken. “I will not back down; I stand with the people. I don’t have Form 47 or a selected certificate. The only people I have with me are these people. I will not abandon the people. I want to tell those in Islamabad: we’ve only just reached Hyderabad.”
He said the Pakistan Peoples Party demands that the federal government immediately stop its controversial new canals project and accept our objections; otherwise, the PPP cannot continue with the coalition.
He emphasized that if the federation is at risk due to government policy, then the PPP will play a frontline role in stopping it. The President of Pakistan rejected these canals while addressing the joint session. “Your own president is not ready to accept the project, and now your coalition partner has also said no, so what’s the stubbornness about?”
Bilawal announced a next Jalsa against the project in Sukkur Division on April 25. He congratulated the Sindh PPP Sindh on winning the by-election in Umerkot and said, “Once again, the people of Sindh have proven that no matter who the opponent is, they vote only for the arrow [the PPP electoral symbol]. Senior assembly member Yousuf Talpur was given the seat and he won.”
He added that the media, social media, and commentators from Islamabad were quite confused, as they thought the people of Sindh would defeat the PPP, but 17 parties, including the PTI and the PML-N, stood united and still couldn’t defeat us.
The people gave them a historic defeat—they’ve been left with no face to show, he said, adding that this was a defeat for those sitting in Islamabad because they were trying to create distance between him and the people. “But you defeated them and sent a strong message by rejecting the canals project.”
Bilawal further stated that whenever we set out for any cause, we always come to Hyderabad. “Hyderabad has proven that you stand with Shaheed Bibi and you stand with me. We are among those who say ‘Pakistan Khappay’.”
Addressing the rally in Hyderabad, PPP central leader Shazia Marri said there is an ongoing issue regarding the canals. The PPP is strongly resisting the project of canals, and our leader Bilawal Bhutto will never let them be constructed.
Senior PPP leader Sharjeel Memon said during his speech that we have all gathered here in response to our beloved chairman’s call. On April 4, an appeal was made to cancel the controversial canals projects because he (Bilawal) had said he would stand with the people, not with the federal government.
He said water is a matter of life and death for us. “People of Islamabad, are you listening? We do not approve of these canals. Just yesterday in Umerkot, the ‘arrow’ (PPP’s election symbol) gave a crushing defeat to the opponents, even though they were supported by PTI, GDA, and religious parties. But in Sindh, the people support only one party, the Pakistan Peoples Party.”
Sindh PPP President Nisar Khuhro said in his speech that fifteen parties had united against us, while Bilawal stood alone, but the people were with the PPP. We secured Yousuf Talpur’s victory, who has always fought for water rights, he added.
Khuhro said this rally belongs to the Hyderabad Division, as people haven’t come from other areas. Hyderabad has always stood with Bilawal and will continue to do so.
