Murad celebrates scrapping of canals project as ‘triumph of constitutional justice’

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah addressed jubilant party workers at the Old Terminal in Karachi on Tuesday, declaring the cancellation of the controversial Cholistan Canal project a landmark victory for Sindh and a triumph of constitutional justice.

Moreover, the CM thanked Prie Minister Shehbaz Sharif for holding the urgent CCI meeting and making a fair decision. He also appreciated the CMs of all provinces and CCI members for support, calling for an end to all protests and sit-ins.

Speaking to a crowd which had gathered to welcome him after the crucial meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), Shah explained that the project, which had been approved during the caretaker government, was rejected through a democratic and legal process.

He emphasised that President Asif Ali Zardari, the federal government, the provincial government, and the people of Sindh would foil any nefarious designs from India. “We know how to defend our country, and anyone who looks at Pakistan with malice will be dealt with,” he asserted.

He congratulated the people of Sindh, stating, “Under the guidance of Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, our government vigorously contested the case for the rights of the people of Sindh in the CCI.” He added that the minutes of the CCI meeting had been released, which included the cancellation of the Irsa certification that had been issued for the availability of water for the Cholistan Canal during the caretaker government on January 17, 2024.

The CM also noted that the CCI meeting had annulled ECNEC’s conditional approval of the Cholistan Canal from February 7, 2024, granted during the caretaker government. “It is on record that the provincial government challenged the Irsa certificate in June 2024, immediately after assuming office,” he said. The chief minister said that his government utilised constitutional methods to challenge the Irsa certificate in the CCI. “During this process, some miscreants attempted to mislead the public with forged documents and incited them against another province; therefore, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari decided to engage with the people.”

He highlighted that Chairman Bilawal addressed significant rallies in Garhi Khuda Bux on April 4, in Hyderabad on April 18, and in Sukkur on April 25. These events attracted unprecedented crowds, where he articulated his position regarding new canal projects.

Leading his delegation, Chairman Bilawal called upon Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to stress that the canal projects were not in the country’s interest and needed to be scrapped immediately. “No new canal was under construction; it only existed on paper, which the CCI meeting has now disregarded. Chairman Bilawal secured this agreement from the prime minister on April 24, for which a communique was subsequently issued from the PM Secretariat, despite some individuals demanding written confirmation with the prime minister's signature.”

CM Shah challenged those individuals, questioning which canal project had been initiated with the prime minister’s signature. He pointed out that these were the same people who propagated against President Asif Ali Zardari, claiming he had approved the canal with his signature. “Neither the president nor the prime minister signs projects. Approval and disapproval come from certain forums, such as ECNEC and CCI; thus, the Sindh government challenged the Irsa certificate in the CCI.”

The prime minister had earlier scheduled a CCI meeting for May 2 to take the decision to scrap the canal projects. During this meeting, President Zardari and Chairman Bilawal stated that the CCI meeting should have been convened sooner.

As a result, the meeting held on April 28 led to the project's rejection. “I thank Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for urgently calling the CCI meeting and making a fair decision. I also appreciate the chief ministers of all provinces and CCI members who supported the Sindh government’s viewpoint.”

Chairman Bilawal had conveyed to the prime minister that no new canal could be constructed without consensus among the provinces. The CCI meeting on April 28 upheld this principle. It was agreed that the federal government would not pursue projects lacking interprovincial consensus. Additionally, it was decided that the 1991 Water Accord would be implemented in its true spirit.

The CM criticised detractors for neglecting the fact that the Irsa certification had been based on incorrect data and required cancellation. He pointed out that baseless propaganda against the president of Pakistan had led to confusion. Furthermore, he noted that the temporary approval from ECNEC, granted just a day before the General Elections on February 7, 2024, was automatically withdrawn following the cancellation of the Irsa certification.

The CCI directed the Planning Division and Irsa that no projects would be undertaken unless all provinces were on board and a consensus was reached. “This is the success we have achieved for the people and by the people. I am grateful to Almighty Allah that all four provinces listened to our perspective and decided the matter based on justice and righteousness,” he stated.

He said he met with the president of Pakistan the day before, during which the president inquired about the upcoming CCI meeting, which he mentioned was scheduled for Friday. The president commented that it was too late. “I told him that I am doing my best and asked for his help in convening the CCI meeting on April 28,” he said, assuring that the president had spoken to the prime minister, which led to the meeting being held on that date.

“Our detractors tried to defame the president, who voluntarily handed over his powers to the parliament. Chairman of the PPP, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, presented a strong and rightful viewpoint on the canals and never backed down. “Imagine the immense pressure faced by the party leadership and the government, yet our stance remained firm and based on justice,” he continued. He added that Chairman Bilawal had given him clear instructions: either secure the acceptance of our viewpoint or walk out of the meeting, stating that the CCI was not essential for them. He [the chairman] emphasised that he could make his own political decisions and clearly stated that if the CCI reached a just decision, that would be great; otherwise, he refused to work with those who supported injustice.

“I presented my case in the CCI with facts and figures, backed by my chairman, my party, and the people of Sindh, successfully securing their rights,” he said, crediting the people of Sindh for their struggle against the project. He expressed his admiration for them: “The people of Sindh have consistently elected the PPP to power since 1970, increasing their votes with each successive term. They have shown steadfast support and trust, which empowered us to fight for their cause in the CCI.” He noted that those who sought to create friction among the provinces might have succeeded had the CCI not made a just decision. “The Pakistan Peoples Party is the guardian of provincial rights,” he asserted.