Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Thursday responded to criticism from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders over the controversial canal project, advising them to direct their questions to the President of Pakistan rather than the Punjab chief minister.
Reacting to PPP leader Chaudhry Manzoor’s recent press conference, Bokhari said it would be more appropriate for the PPP to first resolve its internal disagreements over the ownership of water resources before blaming Punjab, Express News reported.
“Sindh says it’s their water, and you [PPP] say it belongs to Punjab. The PPP should first decide among themselves whose water it actually is,” she said.
Bokhari questioned whether Chaudhry Manzoor, a Punjab resident, was willing to stand up for the province. “Can you not fight for Punjab’s rights while living in Punjab?” she asked.
She further alleged that politicising canals has historically been Sindh’s tactic, but insisted that Punjab does not follow such an approach. “Before claiming to stand with farmers, check if the farmers even stand with you,” she added.
The Punjab minister emphasised that the province neither usurps anyone’s rights nor allows others to infringe on its own. “Punjab has always acted as the elder brother,” she stated.
Reiterating her stance on the matter, Bokhari said that instead of criticising Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz or the provincial government, PPP leaders should direct their concerns to President Zardari. “The PPP should refrain from dragging internal disagreements into the media,” she added.
