Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) led federal government that he will end their coalition if the controversial canal project is not abandoned.
At a public gathering in Hyderabad on April 18, 2025, Bilawal criticised the plan to divert Indus River water for Cholistan irrigation, accusing the government of ignoring Sindh’s concerns and harming farmers.
The federal government’s Rs 211.4 billion plan to build six canals to irrigate 400,000 acres of the Cholistan desert has sparked widespread opposition in Sindh. The PPP, alongside Sindhi nationalist parties and civil society groups, argues that diverting Indus River water threatens Sindh’s agriculture and water security. President Asif Ali Zardari has also cautioned that such policies strain Pakistan’s federation.
Addressing the Jalsa in Hyderabad today, Chairman PPP @BBhuttoZardari warned the federal government that it must immediately roll back the controversial canal project, otherwise the PPP cannot work with the PML-N.#SindhStandsWithPPPhttps://t.co/02MDX7Pdsc
— Pakistan Peoples Party – PPP (@PPP_Org) April 18, 2025Bilawal emphasised the PPP’s consistent opposition: “We were the first to oppose this project. If the choice is between Shehbaz Sharif and the people, it’s not difficult.” He accused the PML-N of imposing the project from Islamabad without provincial consent, warning, “Those in Islamabad are blind and deaf to the provinces’ voices.”
Impact on Farmers and Agriculture
Bilawal slammed the PML-N for policies he claims exploit farmers, citing the wheat scandal and new agricultural taxes as evidence of economic mismanagement. “The PML-N is sucking the blood of farmers,” he said, warning that the canals project prioritizes desert irrigation over addressing water shortages in Punjab and Sindh, which have persisted for 25 years. He urged the government to use technology to develop Cholistan and Tharparkar without compromising the Indus River.
Bilawal declared that “the economic murder of agriculture is complete,” and called for an end to the victimisation of farmers.
اگر حکومت یہ متنازع کینالوں کا منصوبہ واپس لیتی ہے تو زرعی شعبے میں ترقی لانے کیلئے اگلے 50 سال کا پلان میں ان کے ساتھ بیٹھ کر بنانے کیلئے تیار ہوں۔@BBhuttoZardari
#SindhStandsWithPPP pic.twitter.com/WLrpJb033F
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) April 18, 2025Bilawal’s ultimatum underscores the PPP’s commitment to its principles over political alliances. “We don’t want ministries; we want respect,” he said, rejecting personal or political gain. He positioned the PPP as a defender of the Indus River and the federation, warning that the canals project fuels division at a time when terrorism already plagues the nation.
“I have the support of the people, not Form 47 or a certificate of selection,” Bilawal asserted, distancing himself from electoral controversies and emphasising grassroots backing. His call for unity and development reflects the PPP’s vision of reducing inflation and fostering equal progress nationwide.
