PPP Leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed Strongly Criticizes Punjab’s Controversial Canal Projects**
PPP Leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed Strongly Criticizes Punjab’s Controversial Canal Projects**
Lahore: PPP Leader Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed Strongly Criticizes Punjab’s Controversial Canal Projects**
**Lahore (April 3, 2025)** – Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed, a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Executive Committee, strongly criticized Punjab’s controversial canal projects, stating that severe protests are erupting in Sindh and other provinces against these new canals. He emphasized that Pakistan’s water issue is highly sensitive and has long been a point of contention between Pakistan and India.
Chaudhry Manzoor raised concerns about the Cholistan Canal project, questioning the government’s claim that the canal would only operate during flood seasons, which last from July to September. He demanded to know where the water would come from for the remaining nine months. He further warned that up to 40% of water from the Cholistan Canal could be lost, compared to the usual 14% loss in conventional canals.
He directly challenged Punjab’s Chief Minister, asking which existing canal would be shut down to supply water to the Cholistan Canal. He argued that this project would not only affect Punjab but also areas like Okara, Sisa, and Rahim Yar Khan. Describing the initiative as "the first case of reverse engineering in human history," he said even experts are baffled by what is happening.
The PPP leader also addressed farmers' issues, accusing the government of "killing small farmers in the name of corporate farming." He vowed that the PPP would stand with farmers and resist such policies. He criticized the Prime Minister for not convening a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) despite demands from Sindh and other provinces.
Chaudhry Manzoor pointed out that Pakistan’s canal system already faces a 20% water shortage, with 95 million acre-feet of water having disappeared. He demanded clarity from the government on which canal would be sacrificed for the Cholistan project, declaring the plan unfeasible and a potential source of inter-provincial conflict.
He also condemned rising agricultural taxes, noting that cotton production is declining and farmers are on the brink of ruin. He warned that if farmers collapse, the country’s economy will follow.
The press conference was attended by Usman Malik, Chaudhry Riaz, Rao Khalid, and Naseem Sabir. In his concluding remarks, Chaudhry Manzoor stated that while the PPP supports the government on an issue-to-issue basis, this canal project is not in the national interest and will only deepen divisions among provinces.
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