Bilawal Bhutto stated that the Indus River Canal Expansion is a matter of life and death for the people of the province. He emphasized that this is a matter for the Council of Common Interests and should be decided through consensus. “If the rights of those living at the tail end of the river are not given, then how will we fight our case?” he questioned.
While speaking at the Parliament House, the Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto, said that wherever public issues are resolved and economic conditions improve, it is their duty to appreciate and support the government. However, wherever public issues arise, they will also express their opinions.
He further stated that the second-largest party in the House is PTI, and the question is, what are they doing? He mentioned that one of the biggest demands of their voters was a reduction in inflation, and there has been visible improvement in that regard.
Bilawal Bhutto reiterated that the Indus River Canal Expansion is a matter of life and death for the people of the province. Since this is a matter for the Council of Common Interests, decisions should be made through consensus. “If we do not give rights to those living at the tail end of the river, then how will we fight our case?” he asked again.
Bilawal Bhutto also criticized the focus on the release of “Prisoner 420” instead of addressing real issues. He expressed disappointment that the Council of Common Interests has not held a meeting on the canals issue for over a year.
The PPP Chairman stated that the Green Pakistan project was initially a proposal from the People’s Party, and they have always supported providing maximum facilities to farmers.
Speaking on the water issue, Bilawal Bhutto claimed that the PPP is the only party that has consistently raised this issue. He mentioned that it was brought up at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on December 27, and in every National Assembly session, PPP members have spoken about it. He recalled how Nawab Yousuf Talpur, in his last speech, came in a wheelchair and passionately raised this issue. He further stated that the Sindh provincial government, including the Chief Minister and other ministers, has repeatedly highlighted this matter.
Bilawal Bhutto dismissed the notion that the PPP has remained silent on the water issue as a blatant lie. He emphasized that the PPP has always voiced concerns over water distribution and continues to do so. “Some politicians are deliberately creating misunderstandings to make this issue controversial,” he said.
He further stated that those who are raising their voices on national issues to advance their political interests are being targeted. “Such statements mislead the public, while in reality, this is a matter of life and death, and the People’s Party is genuinely raising its voice on it,” he said.
Shehla Raza: Indus River Canal Expansion is a Life and Death Issue for the People of Sindh
Bilawal Bhutto said that the PPP believes in positive politics, but those who genuinely want to keep water issues non-controversial should criticize in the appropriate forums.
He further added that the People’s Party has always rejected the “half-term prime minister” formula. “Our relations with the government and our political stance are clear before everyone,” he concluded.