Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah strongly opposed the proposed Marot Canal project on Thursday, declaring it would never be built as long as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) remains in existence.
Speaking to the media in Garhi Khuda Bukhsh, Shah questioned, “How can the canal be constructed when it hasn’t even received approval?” He reaffirmed that as long as the PPP is in power, the canal will not be constructed, expressing disappointment that some political parties, instead of opposing the canal, have taken to the streets to protest against the PPP.
Shah was joined by provincial ministers Saeed Ghani and Nasir Shah during his remarks.
The Marot Canal is a proposed irrigation project intended to extend from the Sulemanki Barrage on the Sutlej River to Fort Abbas in the Cholistan Desert. Shah clarified that only a preliminary profiling of a few hundred feet was conducted in July, which does not signify the start of construction. He also criticized certain news outlets for spreading misinformation about the project and urged them to report responsibly.
Shah emphasized that the PPP remains committed to protecting Sindh's interests and is willing to make any sacrifices necessary to defend the province's rights. He referenced past false allegations against the PPP, including claims that former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto allocated funds for the controversial Kalabagh Dam, which were later proven untrue.
The Chief Minister underscored the need for consultation with provinces on water-related issues as required by the constitution. Despite multiple requests for a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to discuss the canal project, he revealed that no response had been received from the federal government, stating, “They cannot avoid this issue; the constitution mandates provincial consultation on water matters.”
Shah also highlighted that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has approved Punjab’s request for 0.8 million acre-feet (MAF) of water for the Cholistan Canal project. This decision has sparked strong opposition in Sindh, which has vehemently opposed the move.
He pointed out that Punjab claims, based on historical data from 1976 to 2022, that an average of 27 MAF of water flows downstream to the Kotri Barrage annually, while the officially required environmental flow is 8.5 MAF, which Sindh argues should be 10 MAF. In contrast, Sindh maintains that at least 20.5 MAF is necessary to prevent seawater intrusion and sustain the Indus Delta ecosystem.
Shah also noted the existing national water shortage of 11 MAF, with only 8 MAF currently reaching the Arabian Sea. Punjab’s claim that 7 MAF is surplus water justifying its demand has raised concerns in Sindh, where fears of further depletion of water resources are growing. This could lead to more severe water shortages in Sindh’s agricultural regions and further threaten the fragile delta ecosystem.
Addressing the political dynamics, Shah reminded that the federal government relies on the PPP’s support and warned that without the party’s Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), the government could collapse. He cautioned that if the canal project proceeds without Sindh’s consent, the PPP might withdraw its support.
Shah also called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately announce the termination of the Marot Canal project, noting that both the federal and Sindh governments have opposed it in the Central Development Working Party (CDWP). He stressed the need for provincial unity and warned against actions that could exacerbate inter-provincial tensions.
On agricultural matters, Shah announced that the government would not set wheat prices this year, leaving market forces to determine them. However, he assured that the Sindh government is developing a plan to ensure farmers receive fair compensation for their crops.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed his government’s strong opposition to the Marot Canal project, citing constitutional requirements for provincial consultation, the importance of protecting Sindh’s water rights, and the potential political consequences of proceeding without consensus.