THERE seems to be little the PPP can do apart from repeatedly threatening that it will withdraw its support for the ruling coalition if plans to build new canals on the Indus are not dropped.

The backlash has been severe in Sindh, and the PPP appears to have realised that it must distance itself from the canal projects if it wishes to keep public sentiment in its favour. The party has suffered a hit to its political capital because it is perceived as being tightly tethered to the current regime.

Not only that, there are also lingering doubts about the PPP’s claim that it was blindsided on the matter. Even though the party has repeatedly refuted claims by PML-N leaders that President Asif Zardari himself........

© Dawn