Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emphasised that drawing new canals from the Indus River is a life-and-death matter for the people of Sindh.

He insisted that this issue fell under the jurisdiction of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and must be decided through consensus.

He questioned how Pakistan could fight its case for water rights if it failed to ensure fair distribution to those living at the tail end of the river.

Speaking at Parliament House, Bilawal said that PPP would support the government when it addresses public issues and improves the economy, but it would not shy away from criticising policies that negatively impact citizens.

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He also questioned the role of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the second-largest party in the National Assembly, and pointed out that inflation, a major concern for voters, had recently shown signs of improvement.

Bilawal lamented that while attention was being diverted to the release of “Prisoner 420,” real issues like water distribution were being ignored.

He criticised the delay in convening a CCI meeting on the matter, which, according to him, has been pending for over a year.

He reiterated that the Green Pakistan initiative was originally proposed by the PPP, a party that has always advocated for farmers’ rights.

Highlighting his party’s efforts, Bilawal noted that the PPP consistently raised the water issue, including at a December 27 gathering in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh and in every National Assembly session.

He also praised senior leader Nawab Yousuf Talpur, who, despite his health condition, passionately spoke on the matter from a wheelchair in his final address.

Bilawal dismissed claims that the PPP had remained silent on the water crisis, calling such narratives “outright lies.”

He accused certain politicians of deliberately creating confusion around the issue to politicise it. He insisted that the PPP has always championed fair water distribution and will continue to do so.

He criticised those using national issues for political gain, accusing them of misleading the public. The PPP, he stated, believes in constructive politics and expects critics to raise concerns in the appropriate forums.

Regarding governance, Bilawal reaffirmed that the PPP rejects the “half-term prime minister” formula and maintained that his party’s stance on government collaboration remains clear and public.