Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has voiced concerns over water distribution policies, emphasising that such decisions should be made through collective agreement rather than by a single authority.
He highlighted President Asif Ali Zardari’s warning to the government against making unilateral decisions on constructing new canals from the Indus River, stressing the need for national consensus on the matter, Express news reported.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament House on Tuesday, Bilawal emphasised that the Indus River system is Pakistan’s lifeline, and any decision regarding its management should involve consultation with all provinces.
He stated that Zardari’s warning comes amid growing concerns about water scarcity, climate change, and fair resource allocation.
The PPP chairman also addressed the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), warning that if the provincial government fails to take effective action, then the federal government will have to step in. He said that the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will hold consultations on the security crisis and determine a course of action.
Bilawal criticised the K-P government, saying it had failed to control the worsening security situation. He noted that despite rising incidents of terrorism and lawlessness, the province’s chief minister has not visited affected areas. He insisted that maintaining security was not just a provincial responsibility but also a federal obligation if the situation continued to deteriorate.
PPP Chairman highlighted that Zardari’s address to parliament was historic, marking the eighth time he has addressed the legislature. He praised the president for covering all major national issues, including the economy, security, and water resource management.
He reiterated that PPP had been the first to raise concerns over the new canals issue, dismissing claims that the party had remained silent. He pointed out that Nawab Yousuf Talpur, a senior PPP leader, had dedicated his last parliamentary speech to highlighting the water crisis and warning about mismanagement in canal development.
Bilawal accused opposition parties of using the issue for political point-scoring, stating that national matters like water distribution should be handled responsibly. He urged the government to listen to Zardari’s concerns and ensure that any new water infrastructure projects are implemented with transparency and provincial consensus.
Bilawal also touched upon the state of the economy, expressing optimism that inflation was stabilising and positive indicators were emerging. He credited collaborative efforts between political parties for improving economic conditions and said that PPP was ready to work with the government to ensure further stability.
He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had reassured PPP that its concerns would be addressed, particularly in budget planning and resource allocation. He suggested that the PPP and PML-N should jointly draft the upcoming budget, ensuring that it reflects the needs of all provinces.
PPP chairman stressed that Pakistan must acknowledge the challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity. He noted that Indus River water distribution must be managed sustainably, as future generations depend on it.
He urged the government to develop a long-term water management strategy to deal with growing shortages and ensure fair allocation among provinces.
He concluded by stating that Pakistan’s economic future, food security, and environmental stability depend on responsible governance of natural resources. He reaffirmed PPP’s commitment to advocating for sustainable policies and warned against short-term, politically motivated decisions on key issues like water and security.
