Breakthrough comes as both sides held critical talks amid escalating political tensions and widespread unrest in Sindh

Abid Raza

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday confirmed that no new canals will be constructed unless a consensus is reached in the Council of Common Interests (CCI). 

“The next CCI meeting, scheduled for Friday, May 2, will officially endorse the agreement reached between the PPP and PML-N on the matter,” he said, addressing a joint presser with Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Islamabad after a key meeting.

Bilawal was joined by senior PPP leaders, including Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The meeting came against a backdrop of political turmoil and street protests.  

Earlier, sources said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) accepted all of the PPP’s demands on the canals project during high-stakes talks between PM Shehbaz and the PPP leadership.

The breakthrough came as both sides held critical talks amid escalating political tensions and widespread unrest in Sindh over the federal government’s “controversial” plan to divert six new canals from the Indus River.

The prime minister said he had fully briefed Bilawal on India’s latest statements and developments. 

“The issue of the canals was discussed seriously and constructively, with both sides agreeing that such matters between provinces must be resolved through dialogue and with good intentions,” the premier said.

Touching on the controversial Kalabagh Dam project, PM Shehbaz said if Sindh has objections, those concerns must be respected in the national interest. 

“If the dam goes against the spirit of federal harmony, we should avoid it,” he added.

Bilawal thanked the prime minister for listening to PPP’s concerns and making decisions accordingly. The PPP chairman reiterated that no canal would be built without mutual agreement and expressed confidence that this cooperation would help address public grievances. 

“Three provinces have opposed Kalabagh Dam, and we’ve also reached a consensus on that,” he said.

He added that while the main takeaway was the halt on new canal construction, another critical issue is India’s recent statements, which remain a serious concern for Pakistan.

“We strongly condemn India’s actions that violate the Indus Waters Treaty, which is unacceptable,” the PPP chairman said, and vowed that Pakistan would deliver a strong and befitting response to India’s decision.

The Senate on Tuesday plunged into chaos as PPP lawmakers walked out and PTI senators clashed with their counterparts from the ruling coalition over rival resolutions on the canal project.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar attempted to cool tempers by assuring that any decision would be made constitutionally and in consultation with the Sindh government.

Special Assistant to PM on political affairs Rana Sanaullah was also tasked with initiating direct contact with Sindh’s political leadership. He assured stakeholders that nothing would be “bulldozed” and even suggested multi-party consultations.

The protests, which have spread to Sukkur, Nawabshah and Daharki, continue to disrupt transport and trade, with local parties and civil society expressing strong resistance. CM Murad recently reiterated PPP’s firm stance, warning that while the party does not seek to bring down the federal government, it holds the power to do so.

He further revealed that the Rs250 billion project remains on hold, as it has yet to be approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).

Bilawal last week warned that his party could exit the ruling coalition if the matter is not resolved to Sindh’s satisfaction.