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PM's Aide on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah addresses a press conference in this undated image. — PID/File
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ISLAMABAD: The federal government has asked the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to respond to the ongoing protests against the controversial canal plans, and force the protesters to “politics” the matter.
“Attacks on the canal plan against PPP and the federation are intensifying.
The federal government has planned to build six canals on the Indus River to irrigate the Cholistan desert. This is a project that was rejected by its central ally PPP and other Sindh nationalist parties.
According to official sources, the cost of Cholistan Canal and system is estimated at Rs 211.4 billion and through this project, thousands of acres of barren land can be used for agricultural purposes and 400,000 acres of land can be brought under cultivation.
Almost all political and religious parties, nationalist groups and civil society organizations have held mass rallies against the controversial plan.
Bilawal Bhutto -led party has repeatedly expressed reservations over the project, President Asif Ali Zardari has warned the government that some of its unilateral policies are causing “severe tension” on the federation.
In the statement, Sanaullah said that the canal case is not bigger than the federation itself and it should be resolved by consensus. “There will be progress only if there is a mutual agreement on this matter,” he said.
He revealed that the matter was discussed during a meeting between Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. He further said that the Prime Minister has assured that the matter will be resolved by consensus.
Speaking on the Geo News Program ‘New Pakistan’ separately, Sanaullah – said that due to some elements in PPP Sindh, it finds itself in a difficult place in connection with the canal project, who “claims to be the most sympathetic to the province”.
He added that these elements have done the politics of the project, as they did with the Kalabag Dam.
He said that there are both positive and negative aspects to the project, but a solution can only be found through dialogue. However, he regretted that the PPP is now struggling to discuss the matter because of its surroundings.
“The matter can only be resolved in the relevant forums, especially in the meeting of the coming Council of Commonwealth (CCI),” he said. He also criticized the elements for controversial plans for national importance for political benefits.
Sanaullah pointed out that the PPP has been clearly talking about the canal project for the past two months, yet it is still being charged with the federal government. He added that consensus can be made by either CCI or any other appropriate procedure.
The Prime Minister’s Assistant said that the matter was blown up before the right time of the debate, which makes the PPP difficult to engage in meaningful dialogue.
One day ago, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had said that PPP has the power, ability and authority to stop the Cholistan project, emphasizing that if necessary, this force will be used.
“We are ready to go to some extent to protect the rights of Sindh, which I describe as the rights of the people of Pakistan,” the provincial chief executive told reporters at the Chief Minister’s House.
‘Zero tolerance against terrorism’
Referring to the Balochistan issue, Sanaullah, emphasizing “zero tolerance policy on terrorism”, pointed out the government’s ongoing government’s ongoing engagement with political figures in the province.
He said that the resignation of Sardar Akhtar Mengal from Parliament has not yet been accepted, he added, adding that the main issue is among some of the elements expressing sympathy for the terrorists.
He added, “Akhtar Mengal’s actions should not benefit the terrorists in any way. Their statements, speeches and gatherings should not be confused or provide assistance to terrorist groups.”
The minister emphasized that terrorism is unacceptable in any form and no excuse can justify it. He stressed, “Terrorists are raising weapons, killing innocent people, and hijacking trains. There will be zero tolerance for them, and there will be no dialogue with such elements.”
He also cited the civil hospital incident, where the bodies were allegedly stripped, highlighting the “involvement” of Maharang Baloch and his associates. “Whatever explanation they provide can be discussed, but the impression created by the incident is unacceptable,” he said.
In response to a question about a drone strike in Mardan’s Katlang area-in which the lives of nine members of the Shepherd family were claimed, Sanaullah said that intelligence-based operation was based on reliable information about the presence of terrorists.
He said the operation specifically targeted the militants, which resulted in his death. “If there were any other people in the area, this should not have happened,” he said.
He mentioned that he did not have detailed information about the operation, note that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has clearly expressed his commitment to end the terrorist hideout.
