In abeyance
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That a major project had been given a go-ahead without a consensus among the various stakeholders was bound to come back haunting. The six-canal project - the lifeline for the Green Pakistan Initiative that is meant to ensure food security in the country through corporate farming, besides earning much-needed foreign exchange via export of surplus food - has been paused in line with the decision taken at a meeting of the Council of Common Interest held on Monday.
As agreed at the constitutional forum, tasked with resolving power-sharing disputes between the provinces, the project will remain halted till the time "mutual understanding is evolved among the provinces". A committee, with representation from the federation and all federating units, will also be constituted to pursue a consensus by allaying the concerns of all provinces alongside ensuring the country's food and ecological security.
The decisions taken by the CCI means clam in Sindh where civil society, political parties and nationalist groups were up in arms against the decision to construct six canals to irrigate the barren lands of Cholistan in Punjab as part of the Green Pakistan Initiative, calling it infringement on the rights of low riparian segments of the populace.
Divisive though it is, the high-profile project with global reach promises a roadmap to genuine development and significant foreign exchange inflow for a country long mired in a serious balance of payments crisis. But with a major collation partner, the PPP, in aversion, it's a catch-22 situation for the PML-led ruling dispensation. So while a good initiative — currently held in abeyance — risks becoming another Kalabagh dam project, the decisions to be taken at the next round of debate should reflect the supreme national interest.
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Furthermore, two multi-party delegations dispatched by Pakistan to key world capitals as part of its diplomatic offensive against India began their high-level interactions on June 02, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari-led delegation holding talks with China and Russia's UN ambassadors in New York. As I arrive in New York to lead Pakistan's delegation at the UN, I carry a clear message: Pakistan seeks peace with dignity, dialogue with purpose, and partnerships built on justice. The unresolved issue of Kashmir continues to threaten regional peace. Any aggression over shared… — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 2, 2025 On the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, two separate delegations began their tour of New York, Washington, London, Brussels, and Moscow in order to brief these countries about Pakistan's stance because of the recent military escalation with India. Bilawal, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman, is currently in New York, leading a nine-member delegation, comprising parliamentarians and former diplomats. Another delegation, led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Tariq Fatemi, is visiting Moscow. According to the Foreign Office, the delegations were scheduled to engage in a series of meetings with the leadership of international bodies, public office holders, senior officials, parliamentarians, think tanks, media, and diaspora. Bilawal started his two-day visit to New York with an interview with a foreign news channel. Later, he met with China's Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, and Russia's Permanent Representative, Vassily Nebenzia. The Permanent Representative of Russian Federation, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called on the high-level parliamentary delegation of Pakistan, led by Chairman Pakistan People's Party and former Foreign Minister @BBhuttoZardari. #PeaceWithResponsibility Read More:… — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 2, 2025 China support Bilawal thanked China for supporting Pakistan during the conflict with India. He apprised the Chinese ambassador of Pakistan's responsible behaviour after the April 22 attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) resort of Pahalgam. نیویارک: پاکستانی سفارتی مشن کے قائد بلاول بھٹو زرداری کی چین کے مستقل مندوب فو کانگ سے اقوام متحدہ کے دفتر میں اہم ملاقات نیویارک: چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری اور چین کے مستقل مندوب کے درمیان ملاقات میں بھارتی جارحیت اور خطے کی سیکیورٹی صورتحال پر گفتگو نیویارک: سابق وزیر خارجہ… — PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 2, 2025 He said that India had rejected Pakistan's offer for a transparent and impartial investigation into the attack. He stressed that the resolution of the Kashmir issue was indispensable for a lasting peace in South Asia. The Pakistan delegation urged China to play its role in this regard. While expressing serious concerns over India's targeting of Pakistani citizens during the four-day conflict, the delegation urged the international community to move beyond conflict management and towards dispute resolution. During the meeting, there was unanimity between both sides in opposing unilateral actions and aggression. Both sides emphasised the need for respecting the UN Charter, international laws, and agreements. They also opposed India's decision to weaponise water. The delegation comprised Dr Musadik Malik; Sherry Rehman; Hina Rabbani Khar; Engr Khurram Dastgir Khan; Faisal Subzwari; Bushra Anjum Butt, Ambassador (retd) Jalil Abbas Jilani, and Ambassador (retd) Tehmina Janjua. Russia briefing The delegation briefed Russia's UN ambassador on the situation following the Pahalgam attack, rejecting India's baseless accusations against Pakistan without any evidence, and highlighting its premature and unilateral actions, including the holding in abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty. Together with Pakistan delegation met with the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN to convey Pakistan's principled stance in the wake of India's unprovoked aggression. Highlighted Pakistan's responsible and measured approach, and underscored the… — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) June 2, 2025 He noted that Pakistan's measured and proportionate response - guided by restraint and international law - was aimed at preserving regional peace and avoiding a wider conflict. He underlined that Pakistan was the biggest victim of terrorism, in which more than 80,000 civilians have lost their lives. He also apprised the Russian diplomat of India's sponsorship of terrorism inside Pakistan. He underscored that durable peace in the region hinged on the just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute by international law. Humanitarian impact Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik highlighted the humanitarian implications of holding the IWT in abeyance. Highlighting Pakistan's mature and restrained approach, the delegation reiterated the country's commitment to peace, dialogue, and regional stability. In an interview earlier, Bilawal reiterated Pakistan's desire for peace through "dignity, strength and diplomacy", and termed India's actions after the Pahalgam attack dangerous and a violation of international law. "No lasting solution is possible without resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," he said, emphasising that the current ceasefire should lead to permanent peace, which would come through the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. India's unilateral decision to hold the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance violated international law and the treaty obligations. "By unilaterally suspending the IWT, India has set a dangerous precedent with implications for regional peace and security," he warned. He added that Pakistan wanted the international community to play its role in facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and India. "We are ready to talk to India on Jammu and Kashmir, IWT, and terrorism," Bilawal pointed out. He also said Pakistan is a victim of terrorism; from the political leadership to the military to Pakistani citizens, we have all been affected by terrorism. "While India committed naked and blatant acts of aggression by violating the international border, Pakistan acted in self-defence," he said. The delegation's US engagements on Tuesday included meetings with US lawmakers, think tanks, and media representatives. A meeting of the Pakistani delegation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also on the cards. The visits of the delegations aim at projecting Pakistan's perspective on the recent Indian aggression. The Foreign Office said that they would engage in a series of meetings with the leadership of international bodies, public office holders, officials, parliamentarians, think tanks, media, and diaspora. "The delegations will highlight Pakistan's responsible and restrained conduct, seeking peace with responsibility, in the face of India's reckless and belligerent actions. They will also highlight that dialogue and diplomacy should take precedence over conflict and confrontation," the Foreign Office said. "The delegations will underscore the imperative for the international community to play its due role in promoting a lasting peace in South Asia. The need for immediate resumption of the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty will also be a key theme of the delegations' outreach." Meanwhile, responding to media queries concerning a flurry of antagonistic statements made by the Indian leaders as well as remarks made by the Indian external affairs ministry spokesperson, the Foreign Office spokesperson said that facts could not be obscured by hollow narratives. The Indian leadership's recent remarks, including those made in Bihar, reflected a deeply troubling mindset that prioritised hostility over peace, the spokesperson stated. "Any attempt to portray Pakistan as the source of regional instability is divorced from reality," he added. According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, the international community was well aware of India's record of aggressive behaviour, including documented support for terrorist activities within Pakistan. "These facts cannot be obscured by hollow narratives or diversionary tactics." The spokesperson stated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained the core issue and Pakistan would continue to stand firm in advocating for a just and lasting resolution to the dispute in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. "To sidestep this fundamental issue is to condemn the region to continued mistrust and potential confrontation," he said. "The developments of recent weeks have once again underscored the utter futility of jingoism and coercion," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson emphasised that "India cannot and will not achieve its objectives" through threats, misrepresentation, or force, saying that Pakistan was equally resolved to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression. "Durable peace in South Asia demands maturity, restraint, and a willingness to address the root causes of conflict, not the pursuit of narrow political gains at the expense of regional harmony," the Foreign Office spokesperson stated.
