Kashif Saeed Sheikh, the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh, has strongly criticized the decision by the Punjab government to allocate funds in the recent budget for several controversial canal projects including Cholistan, Chobara, and Jalalpur. He has described this move as undermining the trust and fair distribution of resources between the provinces, and contrary to the assurances given by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In the budget announcement for 2025-26, the Punjab Assembly allocated substantial funds for these water distribution projects. Specifically, one billion rupees each were allocated for Jalalpur and the Greater Thal Canal Phase One, with additional funds also designated for Chobara and Cholistan canals. This action reflects the continuation of Punjab’s controversial policies, which had previously been identified by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and other federal institutions as potentially harming the rights and interests of Sindh.

Furthermore, Sheikh emphasized the need for public demonstrations as well as a robust legal strategy to protect the interests of Sindh. He urged Sindh’s Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, to confront this issue directly and to raise it in the CCI to advocate for the water rights of the province and to prevent projects that are considered detrimental to the interests of Sindh.