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Immediately Roll Back Canal Project, Bilawal Threatens to Quit Coalition Govt

Bilawal Bhutto warns of PPP’s exit from coalition if the controversial canal project isn't scrapped. “We reject your ministries,” he tells PML-N at Hyderabad rally.

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In a fiery address to party workers and supporters in Hyderabad, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), drew a definitive red line: Immediately roll back canal project, or face the PPP quitting the coalition government. The sharp warning to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) signals deepening cracks within the ruling coalition, sparked by a highly controversial water canal initiative.

Bilawal’s Bold Warning at Hyderabad Rally

“We reject your ministries. Accept our demands!”

Bilawal minced no words at the PPP’s Hyderabad rally. “If the federal government does not immediately roll back the controversial canal project, PPP cannot continue working with PML-N,” he said to thunderous applause.

He accused the central government of imposing the project from Islamabad without provincial consensus, igniting tensions across already water-starved regions. “This is not about politics anymore. It’s about principles and the federation’s survival,” Bilawal stated.

PPP’s Long-Standing Opposition to the Canal Project

PPP has stood firm against the six new canal projects proposed on the Indus River, voicing concerns over severe water shortages already plaguing Sindh and Balochistan.

“We’ve been opposing these canals from day one. This project is nothing but an attempt to siphon off our lifeline,” Bilawal declared, warning that if Shehbaz Sharif continues this course, the PPP will be left with no option but to part ways.

PPP’s Key Objections:

Lack of consultation with provinces.
Water theft from already parched regions.
Disruption of federal harmony.
Violation of Inter-Provincial Water Accord.

PML-N’s Alleged Disregard for Provincial Concerns

Bilawal took a direct jab at PML-N’s central leadership:

“Those sitting in Islamabad are blind and deaf — unwilling to see or hear the provinces.”

He said the so-called ‘lions’ of PML-N are sucking the blood of the people, with every major development initiative favoring select regions while neglecting smaller provinces.

“Every PML-N project is against farmers. This is not development; it’s discrimination,” he exclaimed.

Call for Agricultural Reform, Not Discrimination

The PPP chairman clarified that he does not oppose agricultural uplift in underdeveloped areas like Tharparkar and Cholistan, but not at the cost of others’ survival.

“You cannot steal water from Indus to grow crops in deserts while Sindh remains thirsty,” he said.

Bilawal’s Alternative Suggestions:

Adopt bio-saline agriculture, already implemented in Tharparkar.
Develop a 50-year agricultural roadmap through consensus.
Ensure equal resource distribution among all provinces.

He stressed the need for modern, sustainable technology in farming, rather than outdated, colonial-style canal systems.

Saba Talpur’s Victory in NA-213 By-Election

Bilawal also thanked the people of Umerkot for electing PPP’s Saba Talpur in the recent NA-213 by-polls, calling the win a massive endorsement of PPP’s stance.

“We defeated a candidate backed by 17 parties including PTI and GDA. This victory proves the people are with PPP,” he said.

This win not only strengthens PPP’s mandate in Sindh but also debunks opposition narratives against the party.

Shazia Marri’s Statement Against Canal Construction

“It’s a matter of survival, not politics.”

PPP Parliamentarians spokesperson Shazia Marri lambasted the federal government for pursuing the canal construction agenda, calling it a “reckless and provocative” move.

“People of Sindh and Balochistan are facing acute water shortages, yet Islamabad is planning to divert more of it. This is not just a political issue—it’s a question of survival,” Marri said.

She reaffirmed Bilawal’s non-negotiable stance and warned the PML-N leadership of the consequences if this canal agenda continues.

Conclusion and Internal Links

The demand to immediately roll back canal project by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has escalated political tensions within the coalition government. His warning to quit the coalition, if left unheard, could potentially destabilize the federal unity and disrupt governance ahead of upcoming national challenges.

This canal controversy not only reflects a clash of federal versus provincial interests, but also brings water politics to the forefront of Pakistan’s development debate.

If the PPP’s demands remain unmet, the political landscape of Pakistan could undergo a significant transformation in the coming weeks.

Immediately Roll Back Canal Project, Bilawal Threatens to Quit Coalition Govt

Bilawal Bhutto warns of PPP’s exit from coalition if the controversial canal project isn't scrapped. “We reject your ministries,” he tells PML-N at Hyderabad rally.

Bilawal’s Bold Warning at Hyderabad Rally

“We reject your ministries. Accept our demands!”