Latest news with #1991WaterAccord
Express Tribune
28-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
CCI overturns canal project approval amid Sindh's strong opposition
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pictured with K-P CM Ali Amin Gandapur, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah, Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, and Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti at the Prime Minister's Office in Islamabad on April 28, 2025. Courtesy: PTV Listen to article The Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Monday rejected the federal government's proposal to construct new canals from the Indus River, overturning an earlier decision by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) made in February. 'No new canals will be constructed without mutual understanding and consensus among all provinces,' stated a release from the Prime Minister's Office following the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The high-level meeting, convened early at the request of the Sindh government, was attended by the chief ministers of all four provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister Ameer Muqam, and other officials. The CCI agreed to withdraw provisional approval for the project, and announced the formation of a federal-provincial committee to propose long-term agricultural and water management solutions in line with the 1991 Water Accord and the 2018 Water Policy. 'The government is committed to resolving all water-related disputes amicably, ensuring that the concerns of any province are addressed through due diligence,' the statement added. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur welcomed the move, saying, 'It has been decided to resolve issues through mutual understanding.' He confirmed that some of K-P's demands, including the recognition of tobacco as a formal crop and the review of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, would be added to the next CCI agenda. The decision comes amid widespread protests across Sindh over the canals project. The plan to construct six canals at an estimated cost of Rs211.4 billion faced strong resistance from the Sindh government and nationalist groups, who warned that the move would deprive Sindh of its rightful share of water. Sit-ins and blockades at key highways, now lasting over 10 days, have disrupted the movement of goods between Sindh and Punjab, causing shortages of petrol and food supplies. Stranded transporters reported increasing damage to vehicles as the protests continued without resolution. Despite PM Shehbaz's assurances to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that no new canals would proceed without consensus, protests on the ground have intensified, highlighting deep-rooted distrust and regional tensions over water distribution.
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'Indus is ours; either our water will flow or their blood will': Bilawal warns Modi
Listen to article Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari delivered a strong and defiant message to India on Saturday, warning that any attempts to undermine Pakistan's rights over the Indus River would meet fierce resistance. Addressing a large rally in Sukkur, Bilawal declared that the Indus belongs to Pakistan and will remain so, despite New Delhi's unilateral moves. 'Let Modi hear this clearly — the Indus is ours, and it will remain ours. Either our water will flow, or their blood will,' he warned, standing on the banks of the historic river. The PPP chairman strongly condemned India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty following accusations against Pakistan over the recent Pahalgam terror attack. He accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of levelling 'false and baseless' allegations to cover internal failures and mislead the Indian public. 'Whenever there is unrest in Kashmir, India blames Pakistan to distract from its own weaknesses,' Bilawal asserted. He emphasised that India's unilateral withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty, a binding international agreement, would not be recognised either globally or by the people of Pakistan. 'Modi's efforts to take over the Indus will fail. We are the rightful heirs and defenders of the Sindhu (Indus), and we will protect it at all costs,' he said. Bilawal reaffirmed that Pakistan's armed forces are fully prepared to deliver a strong response to any Indian aggression. 'We will confront India bravely, and our forces will give them a fitting reply at the borders,' he said. He urged the people of Pakistan to unite in defending the country's water rights and sovereignty. 'All four provinces must stand together to deliver a strong, united response to Modi's provocations,' he said, calling on Pakistanis to act as ambassadors of the Indus River and protect their heritage. 'This is a victory for peaceful, democratic struggle,' Bilawal added. 'We will not allow anyone — inside or outside Pakistan — to steal our water or divide our nation.' No new canals without provincial consensus Bilawal praised the recent consensus between the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to block any new canal construction projects without the full consent of all provinces. 'It is now a settled policy — no new canals will be built without the approval of all provinces and the public,' he declared. He highlighted that the federal government, responding to public objections, had agreed that any water projects lacking consensus would be returned to the concerned authorities. "Since July, we have raised objections to the proposed canal projects, and we will continue to protect Sindh's water rights," he said. The PPP chairman also noted that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) would soon meet to formally endorse this policy, ensuring that the rights of all provinces under the 1991 Water Accord and the 2018 Water Policy are respected. He thanked PM Shehbaz for listening to the concerns raised by Sindh and other stakeholders.
Express Tribune
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PPP wants Indus canal project scrapped
The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Saturday once again vehemently opposed the federal government's plan to construct six canals on the Indus River in Punjab, declaring it unacceptable for Sindh. The party also announced a massive gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on April 4 to mark the 46th death anniversary of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The PPP Sindh Council, chaired by party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the Chief Minister's House, adopted resolutions rejecting the canal project and urging the federal government to respect Sindh's constitutional rights over water distribution. The party asserted that decisions in the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) were bulldozed due to the federal government's and a single province's dominance, ignoring Sindh's objections. Bilawal reiterated the party's opposition to any new canals on the Indus River, stressing that the PPP has consistently resisted such projects in the past and will continue to do so. He asserted that PPP has always been the true representative of Sindh's people and their rights, particularly on water issues. PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro also strongly condemned the six-canal project, calling it an attempt to deprive Sindh of its rightful water. He demanded the federal government immediately abandon the project and convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to address Sindh's concerns. Meanwhile, CM Murad Ali Shah warned that Sindh would not accept any new canals under the Indus River System. He pointed out that the system already suffered from severe water shortages, questioning how water for the new canals would be sourced. He reiterated Sindh's demand that water be distributed strictly under Paragraph 2 of the 1991 Water Accord. PPP General Secretary Waqar Mehdi noted that the party has opposed the canal project since the beginning, even before other political groups like the GDA became aware of it. He vowed that the PPP would not allow anyone to rob Sindh of its water rights. Resolutions During the meeting, the Sindh council passed several resolutions addressing key political and administrative concerns. The council paid tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on his 46th death anniversary, reaffirming that millions would gather in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh to honour his legacy. A firm rejection of the proposed six-canal project on the Indus River was expressed, with a clear warning to the federal government that Sindh would not tolerate any such plans. Stressing the need for adherence to the 1991 Water Accord, the PPP demanded that Sindh receive its rightful share of water under Paragraph 2 of the agreement and called for the release of at least 10 million acre-feet of water downstream to Kotri. The party also urged strict regulation of the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal and Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal, ensuring they remain operational only during flood seasons. To enhance transparency, the installation of a telemetry system from Taunsa to Guddu Barrage was proposed to monitor water flows. The party cautioned that depriving Sindh of its water share could severely impact agriculture, leading to a national food security crisis for which the federal government would be held responsible.
