Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has firmly rejected the proposed construction of the Marot Canal, emphasizing that the government will not set wheat prices this year, leaving the determination of prices to market forces.
Speaking to the media in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh, Shah questioned, “How can the canal be constructed when it hasn’t even received approval?” He assured that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would not allow the project to proceed as long as it exists, criticizing certain political parties for protesting against the PPP instead of opposing the canal.
Accompanied by provincial ministers Saeed Ghani and Nasir Shah, the Chief Minister also addressed misinformation about the canal’s construction. He clarified that only preliminary profiling had been conducted in July, and no actual construction had taken place. He urged media outlets to report responsibly on the issue.
Shah reiterated the PPP’s commitment to defending Sindh’s rights and recalled unfounded allegations against the party in the past. He also highlighted the importance of consulting provinces on water-related issues as required by the constitution, noting that the federal government had failed to respond to requests for a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting on the canal project.
The CM expressed strong opposition to Punjab’s request for 0.8 million acre-feet (MAF) of water for the Cholistan Canal project, which the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has approved. Sindh, he stated, requires at least 20.5 MAF to protect its agricultural regions and the fragile Indus Delta ecosystem from seawater intrusion.
Shah also pointed out the political implications of the project, warning that without PPP’s support, the federal government could collapse. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to announce the termination of the Marot Canal project to avoid further tensions between provinces.
On agricultural issues, the CM confirmed that the Sindh government would not impose wheat prices this year, allowing the market to determine the rates. However, he assured that the government is working on a scheme to ensure fair prices for farmers.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed his government’s strong opposition to the Marot Canal, stressing the need for provincial consultation and warning of political consequences if the project proceeds without consensus.
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