CCI rejects federal govt’s new canal plan

Islamabad: The Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Monday rejected the federal government's proposal to build new canals, overturning an earlier decision made by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on February 7.

The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was originally scheduled for May 2 but was held earlier at the request of the Sindh government. The decision came after growing concerns in Sindh over the new canals project.

A total of 25 individuals, including all four provincial chief ministers and several federal ministers such as Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Federal Minister Ameer Muqam, attended the meeting. The CCI gathered to discuss six agenda points, with the canal project being a key issue.

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying that no new canals will be built without agreement from all provinces. The federal government will not proceed until all provinces reach a consensus.

The government is aiming to develop a long-term plan for agriculture and water management by working closely with provincial administrations. The statement emphasized that all provinces’ water rights are protected under the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 and the National Water Policy of 2018—both of which were agreed upon by all stakeholders.

To address concerns and ensure fair distribution of water, the CCI decided to form a new committee. This committee will include representatives from the federal and provincial governments. Its job will be to propose practical solutions that respect the existing water agreements and meet Pakistan’s long-term agricultural and water needs.

The statement also stressed that water is a vital national resource and should be managed through cooperation and mutual understanding, as envisioned in the Constitution. The federal government is committed to settling water disputes peacefully and ensuring that no province is left unheard.

As part of the outcome, the CCI returned the provisional approval given by ECNEC on February 7, 2024, for the construction of new canals. It also rejected the water availability certificate issued by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on January 17, 2024.

The Planning Division and IRSA have been directed to hold further discussions with all provinces to find a way forward that promotes unity and addresses all concerns.