In a major political development, the federal government has decided to roll back its controversial plan to construct new canals from the Indus River, following successful talks with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership on Thursday.

According to details, the decision came after a high-level PPP delegation, led by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday.

The delegation included Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, former National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, senior leaders Humayun Khan, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Shazia Marri, Jam Khan Shoro, and Jameel Ahmed Soomro.

During the meeting, the PPP leadership conveyed the Sindh government’s serious reservations over the federal plan to extract new canals from the Indus River. The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the federal government respects Sindh’s concerns and has decided to withdraw the plan in the spirit of national consensus.

Also, read this

Rana Sanaullah, Sharjeel Memon agree to resolve canals dispute through dialogue

Canals protest brings province at standstill, transporters give 24-hour ultimatum

Sindh, Punjab clash over canal projects as water resource tensions escalate

Sources confirmed that an agreement was reached between the federal and Sindh governments not to proceed with the new canal constructions, effectively endorsing the PPP’s stance.

The development comes amid widespread protests in Sindh, where residents, political parties, and civil society have strongly opposed the canal project, fearing environmental and water distribution issues.

Shehbaz Sharif confirms to raise the canal issue in the CCI

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Prime Minister confirmed that the issue would be taken up at the upcoming Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting scheduled for May 2. He emphasised that decisions impacting the federation must be made through mutual consultation and trust among provinces.

“We have held serious and constructive discussions on the matter,” said Shehbaz Sharif. “Pakistan is a federation, and all provincial concerns must be addressed sincerely. No development initiative can override the federation’s spirit of unity.”

He further acknowledged that while the Kalabagh Dam project is economically beneficial for the country, the concerns of the Sindh province are of greater significance to the federal government. “If a project conflicts with federal harmony, we will avoid pursuing it,” he said.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the recent meeting between the PML-N and PPP leadership resulted in a mutual understanding and that the construction of new canals will not commence until a unanimous agreement is reached in the CCI.

“Until a consensus is achieved, no new canals will be built. This was the collective decision taken in today’s meeting,” he reiterated, adding that both PPP and PML-N will support the federal decision during the May 2 CCI session.