Sindh Minister of Chief Murad Ali Shah confirmed his government’s opposition to the controversial channel project associated with the Green Pakistan initiative and called on protesters to avoid blocking roads during their demonstrations.

Shah, who spoke at a press conference in Karachi on Tuesday, called for lawyers, nationalist groups and other activists who protested against the construction of new channels to continue their resistance peacefully. “Lawyers and nationalists should continue their protest without worrying about their own people,” he said.

CM reiterated that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) shares protesters’ concerns and warned that the party could arrange its own demonstrations if the ongoing negotiations with the federal government fail.

Shah promised, “Sindh government and PPP do not allow the channel project to be built with people’s power.” He added that work on the project has been stopped since July 2024, and questioned why the project was not officially scraped.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also aware of the serious consequences of the channel project,” he noted.

Federal officials, including Rana Sanaullah, have tried to reassure Sindh that its hiking rights will not be compromised, calling for dialogue and restraint.

SINDH Information Minister Sharjeel Memon also repeated this feeling and confirmed the province’s readiness to participate in conversations while calling on protesters to avoid road blockades that harm everyday life.

The Green Pakistan initiative launched in February by the Army Staff Staff General Asim Munir and Punjab Minister Maryam Nawaz aims to expand agriculture through new channel infrastructure.

The project triggered widespread protests over Sindh, how many fear it would divert vital Indus river water. In March, the Sindh assembly unanimously adopted a decision that opposed the construction of six new channels, and nationalist parties have staged large rallies in cities, including Karachi.