Water Dispute in Sindh Turns into Political Crisis
A water dispute under the guise of irrigation in Pakistan’s Sindh province has now escalated into a political crisis. In protest against the government’s much-discussed ‘Cholistan Canal Project,’ people near the city of Khairpur blocked railway tracks on Sunday, halting train services. The protesters are upset about the decision to divert water from the Indus River towards southern Punjab.
What’s the Issue?
The Pakistani government, under its Green Pakistan Initiative, has planned the construction of six new canals at a cost of $3.3 billion, claiming that these canals will turn 1.2 million acres of barren land in southern Punjab into fertile farmland. However, the people and leaders of Sindh believe that the project is a plot to steal Sindh’s share of water.
Political Tensions and Public Unrest
The situation worsened when even the ruling party’s ally, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), strongly opposed the project. PPP has warned that if the project is not canceled, they may withdraw their support for the Shehbaz Sharif government.
On Sunday, hundreds of people in Khairpur sat on the railway tracks in protest, halting all trains heading towards Punjab. The protest was so widespread that the Sindh Bar Association also went on strike for the third consecutive day.
Where Has the Impact Been Felt?
In several districts, including Larkana, Nawabshah, Ghotki, Jamshoro, Naushahro Feroze, Sujawal, and Shahdadkot, shops, petrol pumps, and public services were completely shut down. People blocked national highways and local roads, bringing traffic between Sindh and Punjab to a halt.
Residents of the Tharparkar district’s Mithi area, like Hanif Shamon, reported that even small towns like Ratodero, Bakrani, and Dokri saw a complete shutdown of commercial activities.
What Are the Protesters Saying?
Protesters accuse the canal project of attempting to turn Sindh’s fertile land into a desert. They view it as a direct attack on Sindh’s water rights.
According to a local citizen, “This has become the biggest public movement in Sindh’s history. For three days, all roads leading to Punjab have been blocked.”
Will the Government Back Down?
Given the current situation, the protest has evolved from being just about an irrigation project to a broader issue concerning cultural and regional identity. If the protests continue, they could raise questions about the stability of the Shehbaz Sharif government.
