HYDERABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sindh chapter held a seminar here on Friday on the eve of its 57th founding day.

PPP Sindh president Nisar Khuhro, former Senator Maula Bux Chandio and former chief minister Qaim Ali Shah, speaking at the programme, strongly opposed the federal plan to dig six canals projected to be fed through the Indus and irrigate millions of acres of lands in Cholistan and other parts of Punjab.

Khuhro also explained the party`s stance to dispel the impression and refute the allegations that it had clandestinely given a go-ahead to the plan.

In unequivocal terms, he said: `If Sindh disagrees on the issue of six canals project, then it will not be built`. He said water was a national issue and unless provinces agreed, such a contentious matter could not be decided.

He described the issue as a matter of life and death for Sindh, and recalled that Benazir Bhutto had opposed the Kalabagh dam project.

`Sindh Assembly has already passed a resolution on the canals issue.

Former Senator Maula Bux Chandio said that PML-N pursued `regional` and not `federal` politics. He made it clear that the people of Sindh would not accept `dacoity` on Indus river water. It was Nawaz Sharif, he said, who had started the `drama` of Kalabagh dam. `You willirrigate your area and render us barren. This won`t happen,` he said.

Chandio said Sindh had sacrificed much and now it was federation`s turn to decide what decisions it was planning. This canal project was a conspiracy against federation; and federation was now required to create harmony among federating units, he added.

The seminar was organised by Sindh PPP Information Secretary Ajiz Dhamra at the Sindhi Language Authority. A cake was also cut to celebrate the occasion.

Bilawal congratulates partymen PPP Cairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, in his statement issued by the party` media cell, warmly congratulated party workers, supporters and the people of Pakistan on the occasion of PPP`s Foundation Day, celebrating 57 years of unwavering dedication to democracy, social justice, and empowerment of the people.

He highlighted the enduring legacy of Quaid-iAwam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and said he had founded the party on Nov 30, 1967 with a vision of establishing an egalitarian society rooted in equality, human rights and economic prosperity. He also paid glowing tribute to the sacrifices of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who championed democracy with unmatched courage and inspired millions with her relentless dedication.

`Under the visionary leadership of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the party gifted the nation its first democratic Constitution in 1973, ensuring equal rights and representation for all citizens. It was also Quaid-iAwam who initiated Pakistan`s nuclear programme, cementing the country`s defence capabilities. The PPP pioneered groundbreaking reforms in land redistribu-tion, labour rights, and education, laying the foundation for social progress. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation, not only strengthened democracy but also empowered women, advanced social welfare, and led efforts in developing cruise missile technology. During President Asif Ali Zardari`s first tenure, the PPP government reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to equity by solidifying provincial autonomy through the landmark 18th Amendment and launching the transformative Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), a lifeline that has since uplifted millions of underprivileged citizens,` said Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.

Khuhro also recounts PPP`s achievements Nisar Khuhro told the seminar participants that PPP believed in producing ideological cadre. The party`s achievements were attributable to its consistent struggle and this momentum could only be kept intact through continuous struggle.

He said ZAB nationalised industry in line with the theory of socialism. He said Bhutto brought Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan who then made Pakistan`s defence invincible by producing nuclear bomb.

He said Z.A. Bhutto gave identity to every citizen through the national identity card and passport. Bhutto had opposed hegemony of `40 families` and he talked about labourers and workers. Land reforms were introduced and he distributed his own lands as well. Paddy`s price was raised from Rs13 per maund to Rs22 per maund to improve farmers` economy. Nationalisation was aimed at empowering workers; and trade union formation was allowed. Bhutto brought back 90,000 prisoners of war while land area was retrieved, said Khuhro.