PPP Walks Out of Senate Over Controversial Canal Project as Tensions Rise Within Coalition
Lawmakers from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) staged a walkout from the Senate session on Tuesday to protest the controversial Cholistan canal project, highlighting rising tensions between coalition partners PPP and PML-N.
The protest follows the inauguration of the Cholistan irrigation project on February 15 by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir. The initiative, aimed at irrigating southern Punjab, has sparked criticism from various quarters, especially from Sindh, where concerns over water distribution persist.
Opposition to the Project
In March, the Sindh Assembly passed a unanimous resolution opposing the canal project, citing fears of water scarcity and environmental impact. Political parties, civil society groups, and local communities across the country have since voiced their objections.
During the Senate session, PPP lawmakers gathered near the speaker’s dais before exiting in protest. Former Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman emphasized the environmental risks, particularly for Sindh’s coastal regions. “The canals do not have water,” she said during a media briefing, expressing frustration over the government’s response. “We walked out because no one was listening.”
Government Response and Call for Dialogue
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar assured that no unilateral decisions would be made regarding the canal project. “All decisions will be taken in accordance with the Constitution, and in consultation with coalition partners,” he stated during the session. He urged the PPP to rejoin proceedings, noting that dialogue was essential for a democratic resolution.
Tarar emphasized that political adviser Rana Sanaullah had contacted PPP leaders to reaffirm the federal government’s willingness to consult and reach consensus. “Nothing will be imposed,” he said.
CM Murad Ali Shah’s Appeal to Protesters
In Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed the protests and clarified the province’s stance. While supporting public demonstrations, he urged protesters not to inconvenience citizens by blocking highways or essential routes. “Continue your protest — we support it — but do not trouble the public,” he said during a press conference.
CM Murad also responded to concerns about the canal project’s progress. “Work on the canals has been halted since July 2024,” he asserted, denying recent reports of active construction. He stressed that the Sindh government had raised the issue in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in June and communicated its objections to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).
Ongoing Dispute and Coalition Strains
The Chief Minister criticized the portrayal of the project’s inauguration, calling it a “misunderstanding.” He emphasized that the Sindh government still awaited official cancellation of the project and urged the federal government to formally terminate it.
Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed PPP’s commitment to Sindh’s interests and rejected claims of inaction. “We want a clear announcement that the project is cancelled,” he demanded.
Broader Concerns: Food Security and Farmer Protests
In addition to water concerns, CM Murad addressed ongoing wheat procurement issues. He criticized Punjab’s government for not purchasing wheat from farmers in 2024 or 2025, while Sindh had continued its support. “There is a major food security issue,” he warned, citing farmers’ threats to abandon wheat farming.
He called for innovation in agriculture, including improved seeds and water efficiency practices, stating, “Water and food security will not be addressed through canals, but through sustainable farming and efficient water use.”
