Latest news with #2018WaterPolicy
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.
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Canals project: PM summons CCI meeting on May 2
ISLAMABAD: A day after announcing the suspension of the controversial canal project on the Indus River, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday summoned the long-delayed meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on May 2 to address the ongoing debate over the controversy. According to a notification, the 52nd meeting of the CCI will be held at the Prime Minister's Office. The session will be attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Amir Muqam. The chief ministers of all four provinces have been invited to participate in the meeting. Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Science and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal will also attend the meeting. Special invitations have been extended to the ministers for petroleum, water resources, and Power Division. Additionally, chief secretaries from all provinces have been invited to the session. Canal dispute: protesters should cease agitation, unblock roads, says Sindh CM Murad Prime Minister Sharif had previously addressed the issue in a joint press conference with Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stating that no new canal projects would proceed without consensus on the matter within the CCI framework. On Thursday, PM Sharif reiterated his stance, emphasising that no water-related initiatives would move forward without agreement from all provincial governments. He noted that the federal government was committed to collaborating with provinces to create a consensus-driven, long-term agricultural and water policy. He also referred to the 1991 Water Accord and the 2018 Water Policy as critical frameworks for managing the country's water rights, both of which had the approval of all provinces. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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.
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM assures Bilawal: No new canals sans CCI nod
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Thursday said no new canal projects will be undertaken without consensus among provinces, stressing that decisions on water resources must be made through the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Speaking during a meeting with Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Sharif said the federal government would not proceed with any such initiative unless agreed upon by all provincial stakeholders. 'The federation is working with all provincial governments to develop a consensus-based, long-term roadmap for agricultural policy and water infrastructure,' he said, in a statement issued after the meeting. Sharif cited the 1991 Water Accord and the 2018 Water Policy as the foundations for the country's water rights, saying both documents had the endorsement of all provinces. 'To ensure food and environmental security, a committee including federal and provincial representatives will be formed,' he said, adding that it would suggest solutions in line with the two key policy documents. He emphasised that water is one of Pakistan's most vital resources, and the 1973 Constitution mandates resolving water disputes through consensus. 'Any provincial concerns must be addressed seriously by all stakeholders,' he added. The next meeting of the CCI is scheduled for May 2, where both the PPP and the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are expected to back the federal stance. Proposals lacking provincial agreement will be referred back for further consultation, he said. Following the meeting, a PPP statement confirmed that Bilawal led a party delegation during talks with the prime minister and his team. Bilawal said that 'a major decision was reached' during discussions: no canals will be constructed without unanimous approval from all provinces. He noted that three provinces had objected to the Kalabagh Dam, and the new agreement reaffirms that mutual consent is essential for any future projects. Bilawal also took aim at India over its statements on the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that Pakistan would respond strongly and raise the issue publicly. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
