The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Saturday strongly criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s remarks on the controversial canal project, terming them a “violation of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) decision” and an “insult to a constitutional forum.”

PPP Sindh President Senator Nisar Khuhro said the CCI had already rejected and buried the proposed canal project, adding that no new canal could be built without the consent of all provinces.

The war of words between the two sides, which began over flood compensation, has now expanded to water rights on the Indus River after CM Maryam told the PPP leadership to keep its advice to itself.

In response, the PPP had its lawmakers stay away from parliamentary proceedings to protest the remarks. Senior leaders from both parties met in Islamabad on Wednesday to defuse the situation, with the PPP urging the Punjab chief minister to “rethink her tone” when speaking about provincial water rights.

However, Maryam declared a day ago that she would never apologise to the PPP over her outburst.

“Maryam Nawaz is not above the constitutional forum of the CCI,” Khuhro stated.

“The first right to water constitutionally belongs to the lower riparian province, Sindh, and any canal or dam on the Indus River without Sindh’s approval will be seen as an attack on provincial rights and national unity.”

He urged PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif to take notice of his daughter’s “irresponsible remarks” and clearly define the party’s stance on the issue.

Khuhro accused the Punjab government of ignoring the plight of flood-affected farmers while making hollow claims of relief efforts.

“The Punjab government’s so-called aid and rehabilitation work exists only on television screens. Flood victims are still waiting for real help,” he said.

He alleged that the Punjab administration had deliberately breached embankments to divert floodwaters away from the homes of the wealthy, submerging poor farmers’ crops instead.

Khuhro further said that Maryam Nawaz’s comments reflected “a lack of political understanding” and “fear over the PPP’s growing popularity in Punjab.”

“Punjab is not the personal estate of any one party,” he added.

“Every political force, including the PPP, has the right to engage in political activity across the province.”