During a press conference, Chaudhry Manzoor highlighted that there have been significant protests in Sindh regarding new canals. He emphasized that water is a critical issue in Pakistan, and disputes over its distribution have persisted between Pakistan and India.
He further questioned, "Will you cut off water from Sheikhupura? From Sialkot? From where? There isn't enough water in the system as it is. If you plan to supply over 4,000 cusecs of water to this new canal, where will you divert it from?"
Chaudhry Manzoor asserted that the system lacks sufficient water and that only the affected provinces should discuss this matter. He accused the Punjab government of creating an unnecessary issue, warning that tensions between two provinces are already high, and this decision could destabilize a third. He declared the project completely unfeasible.
He affirmed that the PPP would not allow this to happen and vowed to stand with farmers across the country. He also questioned why the Prime Minister has not convened a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) despite demands from Sindh and other provinces.
Criticizing the government’s policies, he accused it of "murdering" small farmers in Punjab under the guise of corporate farming. Experts, too, are reportedly baffled by the situation. He pointed out that 14% of water is lost from any newly constructed canal, while the Cholistan Canal is expected to waste up to 40% of its water.
Chaudhry Manzoor reiterated that every province has the right to distribute its share of water as it sees fit. However, 30 million acre-feet of water have already disappeared from the system, and further shortages are expected.
He also raised concerns about land leases for farmers, stating, "Farmers are only being given land for 90 days—what will they do for the remaining nine months?" Meanwhile, the Punjab government claims it is restoring the 14-D canal.
He emphasized that the water shortage should be addressed in a way that is fair to all provinces. He demanded that Punjab’s Chief Minister clarify which canal will be shut down to supply water to the Cholistan Canal.
Addressing flood concerns, he remarked, "Floods occur from July to September, so when exactly will the Cholistan Canal receive water? And for the remaining nine months, where will the water come from?" Initially, the government claimed the canal would operate only during the flood season, but now it is being developed as a permanent project to cultivate barren land.
He accused the government of politicizing the issue instead of finding a practical solution.
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