• The president of the PPP supports the Green Pakistan initiative; It urges the Government to review the project to guarantee ‘without damage’ to any feeding unit
• Proposes intelligent irrigation and collective agriculture as alternative solutions
Islamabad: A day after President Asif Ali Zarari expressed concern for a channel project proposed in the Indo River in Punjab, the president of the PPP Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari suggested on Tuesday that the controversial project was referred to the Common Interests Council (CCI).
Speaking to the persons of the media in their cameras in the National Assembly, the PPP leader said that the unilateral policies made by the center without consensus have put the government under tension, and must be reviewed and resolved.
The PPP chief said that the ruler of Sindh (PPP) has continually demanded a CCI meeting. “Even in his last speech before the Assembly, the late Nawab Yousuf Talpur raised the problem of water, and also other members of the PPP. The Sindh CM, its ministers and the provincial bureaucracy also raised the problem in each forum, ”he said.
Mr. Bhutto-Zardari supported the green project of Pakistan, under which the channels are planned. “… As for the green project of Pakistan and obtaining investments for agriculture, the PPP not only possesses it, but is the philosophy of the party. We not only want relief for our farmers, but we want them to flourish,” he said.
“We believe we have to work hard in two phases, an aspect of which is collective agriculture. To maximize the results of the first phase, the Punjab and Sindh areas that contribute to the agricultural economy must be prioritized, ”he added.
If the provincial governments used the public-private association model to introduce intelligent irrigation, and the federal government financed this transition, then collective agriculture could become a revolutionary extent, he said, and added that the PPP was working on pilot projects between Sindh, including bio-saline agriculture experiments in Thar. “We do not oppose the good of the opposition, but we have alternative solutions to propose following crises,” he said.
While talking about President Zardari’s speech, he said the president delivered a historical discourse in Parliament.
“From the economy to terrorism, and Palestine and Kashmir, as well as agriculture and technology, the direction of President Zardari touched all the vital problems facing the country. President Zardari, as a symbol of the Federation, is the only representative of all the elected members of Parliament, as well as the provincial assemblies, ”he said.
“In his speech, President Zardari clearly pointed out the unilateral policies of the government made without consensus, particularly the decision to make new channels from the Indo River. In a very positive way, President Zardari shed light on the issue before the National Assembly and the current government. The government of the time is under tension due to the problem, and the decision must be reviewed and resolved, ”he added.
In addition, with respect to President Zardari’s statement, he said there was no reason for the government not to accept the suggestions. “The government would not want its projects to become controversial or damage any of the federal units,” he added.
Bilawal Bhutto said that Tuesday’s session of the National Assembly was a condolence meeting in memory of the deceased Nawab Yousuf Talpur.
Regarding Iphtar’s dinner with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Mr. Bhutto-Zardari said he was grateful to him for organizing the PPP delegation.
He said that inflation was the most important issue, on which the parties challenged the elections, and now that the indicators were improving, the PPP joined the rest of the country to congratulate Prime Minister Shehbaz. “Our confidence level has not yet reached the stage in which the PPP can become a government coalition partner,” he said. The PPP is currently working with the political party that was involved with him for the good of the country, added the leader of the PPP.
He also said that the PPP also raised concerns, including the situation of the law and order in Baluchistan and KP. About KP, he said such disinterest had never been demonstrated by a provincial government when it comes to the problems of his own people. However, he added that addressing the situation of the law and order was a collective responsibility.
Posted in Dawn, March 12, 2025
