Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) MNA Syeda Shehla Raza has said that the issue of drawing canals from the Indus River is a matter of life and death for the people of Sindh.

She also criticised Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its inconsistent political stance, stating that the party is not serious about politics.

Speaking on Aaj TV’s programme “Spotlight with host Munizae Jahangir”, Shehla Raza expressed pride in President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to the joint session of Parliament, marking his eighth such speech. She called the address comprehensive, covering all key national issues, including the water dispute.

Questioning PTI’s legitimacy claims, she asked why the party participated in the presidential and prime ministerial elections if they did not recognise the current Parliament.

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“PTI fielded candidates for the Prime Minister, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker positions, accepted seats in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and standing committees, yet still refuse to acknowledge the system,” she pointed out.

She further noted that PTI members continue to attend assemblies and receive salaries, yet remain contradictory in their stance.

She referenced the 26th Constitutional Amendment, stating that PTI leader Amir Dogar had publicly stated in the Assembly that they had no objections.

Regarding President Zardari’s speech, Shehla Raza emphasised countering terrorism and addressing the agricultural sector’s challenges.

She reiterated that the Sindh River canal issue is of critical importance to the people of Sindh.

“The federal government must take all provinces on board,” she stressed.

“Sindh’s water rights issue predates Pakistan’s formation, and IRSA (Indus River System Authority) has been given excessive power. The President, in his speech, twice emphasised the need to listen to all provinces. If we move forward collectively, the country will progress.”