In a much-appreciated shift, the canal dispute between the federal government and Sindh finally appears to have turned a corner toward resolution.

Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah, had an important telephonic conversation with Sindh's Senior Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon, to discuss a way forward.

During the conversation, both leaders agreed not only to resolve the matter through dialogue but also to meet in person soon. Rana Sanaullah affirmed that the federal government, under the direct instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, is ready to negotiate and address Sindh’s concerns in a fair and transparent manner.

“This is a technical issue, not a political one. Our aim is to resolve it based on facts and data,” said Rana Sanaullah.

Sharjeel Memon welcomed the gesture, emphasizing that the people of Sindh and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have long had serious reservations over the disputed canal projects. “We want a fair distribution of water as per the 1991 Water Accord,” he reiterated, expressing readiness for meaningful talks.

PPP, PML-N Coordination Committees meeting

In a related development, a meeting between the Punjab Coordination Committees of the PPP and PML-N turned into a reconciliatory discussion focused on resolving the canal dispute. Both parties agreed on commissioning a technical evaluation report from local and international consultants to ensure clarity and transparency.

Briefing the media after the session, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said, “There’s already a consensus agreement between all four provinces on water distribution. But the technical concerns raised by Sindh must be addressed sincerely.”

PPP leader Syed Hassan Murtaza also stressed unity in challenging times. “We must walk together as the nation navigates through difficult terrain,” he said, adding that concerns related to local governance and sugarcane farmers’ payments are also under review, with progress expected within a week.

The fifth consultative meeting saw key figures from both parties in attendance. Representing the PPP were former PM Raja Pervez Ashraf, Governor Punjab Sardar Salim Haider Khan, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Ali Haider Gillani, and Syed Hassan Murtaza. From PML-N, participants included Deputy PM Ishaq Dar (via video link), Rana Sanaullah, Punjab’s senior minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, and top bureaucrats, including the IGP and Additional Chief Secretary of Punjab.