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Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Canals issue resolved, unblock roads: CM
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called for the anti-canals protesters to unblock the roads they have obstructed, as the cancellation of the canal project was announced. Shah called the cancellation a "victory for the federation, democracy, and the people of Sindh." While a rally is planned in Sukkur to celebrate the cancellation, Shah warned protesters against divisive politics during heightened tensions with India. Following a meeting with federal ministers and legal officials, Sindh successfully argued the canal project's infeasibility, after which Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, publicly announced its cancellation in a joint press conference. A Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, scheduled for May 2, will formally ratify the cancellation. Shah revealed that the Punjab caretaker government asked IRSA for a water availability certificate, which was granted despite Sindh's objections, the PPP then challenged the certificate, as allowed under CCI rules. He asserted that had the CCI backed the project, it would have gone to Parliament. He also claimed that out of eight members, seven are assigned to scrap the canal project in the CCI, and that demanding notification for canals cancellation is misleading people. Further, referring to a meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, the CM clarified that only the interior minister attended from the federal government, with no participation from IRSA or the Ministry of Water & Power. He stressed that the president cannot approve development projects, and despite an initial tweet suggesting approval, the canal process stalled after Sindh challenged it. Shah also alleged that "those pushing the canal project want the PPP out of power to move it forward" and noted that there are two groups of anti-canal protesters; those genuinely opposed to the project as it goes against provincial interests, and those attempting to use the situation for political gain by infringing on the PPP's public mandate, thereby blocking roads and impeding daily activities. Addressing concerns from JUI-F and the legal community, Shah clarified that the prime minister cannot unilaterally withdraw items from the CCI, as such decisions require a vote. With a majority held by PPP and PML-N, the canal projects will be referred back to IRSA as committed by the prime minister in a meeting with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Furthermore, Shah noted that the 1991 Water Accord was signed when PPP was not in power and criticised the PTI-led government's 2021 approval of the Chobara Project, which the Sindh government successfully opposed. In regards to the Greater Thal Canal, Shah claimed that its extension has been halted and challenged, reaffirming PPP's commitment to Sindh's water rights, stating that the CCI is the only lawful platform for such decisions. Meanwhile, the CM strongly criticised India's announcement to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, deeming it a political stunt without legal basis as "India cannot unilaterally withdraw from the treaty, it is written in the agreement." Shah condemned India's aggressive stance, and noted that Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) affirmed Pakistan's capability to respond decisively to Indian aggression; the NSC decided to expel the Indian army attaché from Pakistan, close the border, and block airways for Indian airlines. CM Shah declared that the PPP, with the people of Pakistan, stands united in support of the NSC's decisions, and stated that "if any harm comes to this country, the Pakistan Peoples Party will stand shoulder to shoulder with the supreme commander of our armed forces, the president of Pakistan, our federal government, and our armed forces."
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
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
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Indus Water Treaty: Can India really turn off the Indus tap for Pakistan?
Understanding the Indus Waters Treaty Live Events What India plans to do next The dams that matter Kishanganga (Jhelum): Operational since 2018, it diverts water from a tributary that feeds Pakistan's Mangla Dam. Ratle (Chenab): Still under construction, but its storage could further reduce water to Pakistani Punjab. Shahpurkandi (Ravi): Now redirects Ravi waters entirely to Indian use. Ujh (Ravi): Planned project that may reduce downstream flows even more. Why the tap can't be shut yet Pakistan's diplomatic options are narrow India's treaty-backed entitlements How this hits Pakistan's backbone Agricultural Shock: With over 80% of crops reliant on Indus water, yield drops in wheat, rice, and cotton could hurt GDP and food security. Groundwater Strain: Farmers may tap deeper aquifers, worsening land salinisation and aquifer depletion. Power Crisis: The Tarbela and Mangla dams, which supply nearly 30% of Pakistan's power, could produce less as inflows fall. Soil Degradation: About 43% of arable land is already salinity-affected—less water could lead to long-term desertification. Inter-provincial Tensions: Reduced flows may spark disputes under the 1991 Water Accord. Export Setbacks: Crops like Basmati rice and textiles could be hit, affecting foreign reserves and weakening the rupee. Forced Crop Shifts: Pakistan may need to adopt water-efficient crops like millets. But training, irrigation infrastructure, and policy support are lacking. A political weapon, not a floodgate — Yet (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel India's decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has raised fears of a looming water crisis in Pakistan . Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, New Delhi's move marks a clear shift in its long-standing policy of separating water-sharing from conflict. Now, that firewall appears to be treaty, signed in 1960, was a rare example of sustained cooperation between two hostile neighbours. But with tensions spiking, India is preparing to assert greater control over the Indus system—potentially reducing Pakistan's access to critical river flows.'The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Wednesday Indus Waters Treaty divides the six rivers of the Indus system between the two nations. India has full rights over the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Pakistan receives water from the three western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—which flow downstream from Indian the centre of the latest strain between India and Pakistan are two Indian hydroelectric plants: Kishenganga (330 MW), which began operations in 2018, and Ratle (850 MW), which is still being built. Both are located in Jammu and Kashmir on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers. These rivers are part of the three 'Western Rivers' under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which was signed in 1960 with the World Bank as a the World Bank is not funding either project, Pakistan has raised objections, alleging that both breach the treaty's conditions. Being the lower riparian country, Pakistan depends heavily on these western rivers. In fact, nearly 80% of its irrigated agriculture relies on them. The treaty allowed India to build 'run-of-the-river' hydroelectric projects without altering flows. Reservoir dams, however, were limit is now effectively the treaty suspended, India is likely to fast-track its hydroelectric ambitions. Projects such as the operational 330 MW Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum and the 850 MW under-construction Ratle Dam on the Chenab could be redesigned to store more water—something Pakistan has strongly opposed in the is also expected to prioritise usage of eastern rivers. The Shahpurkandi Dam on the Ravi, completed in 2024, already redirects flows into Indian territory. The planned Ujh Dam on the same river could further reduce surplus water entering Pakistan. According to estimates, India lets about 9.3 billion cubic metres flow into Pakistan from its share—something New Delhi may now seek to is likely to halt regulated releases from hydro projects and suspend data sharing with Pakistan. Future inspections of Indian hydropower facilities by Pakistani officials may also be one user on X wrote, 'This is not about turning off the water tomorrow... The tap is still open. But the restraint behind it has been lifted.'Despite the bold move, India currently lacks the infrastructure to fully divert or block the western rivers. 'Pakistan will die out of thirst', 'Pakistan will face a severe water crisis this summer', 'Pakistan will be left high and dry'—these were some of the reactions on social these remain psychological pressures for large dams on the Indus, Jhelum, or Chenab would take years—possibly a decade—due to the ecological and financial costs. Current projects are run-of-the-river in nature and can only influence timing, not the message is could appeal to the International Court of Justice or the Permanent Court of Arbitration. However, with India disputing their jurisdiction under the suspended treaty framework, legal remedies are may seek intervention from the World Bank, the original treaty broker, or look to allies like China and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Diplomatic escalation or trade retaliation are options, but Pakistan's fragile economy limits room for Pakistan's reliance, the treaty grants India rights too. It allows the development of irrigation over 13.4 lakh acres in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. At present, less than half that area—6.42 lakh acres—is actually is also permitted to store up to 3.60 million acre-feet of water from the Western Rivers. But in practice, such infrastructure is minimal, leaving these entitlements largely unutilised. Strategically, however, India's right to build run-of-the-river dams offers it leverage. While not designed to block water entirely, these dams can temporarily delay flows—something that can be used as pressure during diplomatic draws about 80 per cent of its freshwater supply from the Indus river system. Of the 16.8 crore acre-feet (CAF) of water flowing annually, only around 3.3 CAF is allocated to India. India already uses over 90 per cent of its share, while Pakistan remains highly dependent on the remaining dependence runs deep. The rivers support 23 per cent of Pakistan's agricultural water use and sustain roughly 68 per cent of its rural population. Disruptions could cut into crop production, elevate food insecurity, and worsen existing economic instability. Rural communities and provinces such as Punjab and Sindh would be hardest storage capacity compounds its vulnerability. Dams like Mangla and Tarbela can store just 14.4 million acre-feet—only 10 per cent of its annual entitlement. In dry years or during seasonal shifts, Pakistan has little cushion to manage stakes are high for Pakistan. Its agriculture, power, and rural livelihoods hang in the decision to suspend the IWT is less about immediate change and more about long-term leverage. It is, in essence, a geopolitical lifting treaty constraints, New Delhi has gained strategic flexibility. But for now, water will keep flowing across the border—though the rules around it are clearly Pakistan's own words, the fear is growing. But the flow? For now, it's still there.
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PPP's stance on canal issue clear from day one: Sharjeel
KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that as soon as the issue of the controversial canals arose, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Sindh government immediately began efforts to resolve it. The PPP's stance on the canal issue has been clear from day one: wherever we held meetings, we consistently opposed the construction of canals. Speaking at a press conference in the Directorate of Social Media and Electronic Media Karachi, Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister of Information, Transport, and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon, accompanied by Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and PPP Sindh Information Secretary Ajiz Dhamrah, said that when there was the caretaker government, a session of IRSA was held on January 25, 2024. In that meeting, a water availability certificate was issued to Punjab, suggesting that the canal project could proceed. However, Sindh's representative, Ehsan Leghari, raised objections and noted that there was no water available, and therefore, the water availability certificate should be withdrawn. Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that a summary was prepared on June 13, 2025, clearly objecting to the canal project, and it was signed by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on June 14. He emphasized that the Pakistan Peoples Party government was the first to raise objections regarding the Sindh canal issue. He said that, according to the Constitution, a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) must be held every 90 days. The Sindh Chief Minister wrote several letters requesting that a CCI meeting be convened, but it has not been held yet. Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the Sindh government and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have a clear stance that no canals should be constructed on the Indus River. He said the PPP is a federal party that considers the interests of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan alike. 'We have all the letters in which we have opposed the construction of canals, and the PPP has consistently maintained the same position at every forum — that the controversial canals should not be built,' he added. He said that President Asif Ali Zardari, while addressing a joint session of Parliament, clearly stated that the project could not be supported. He told that Punjab possesses a stock of fresh groundwater, which can be utilized for agriculture. He also said that Prime Minister's Political Advisor, Rana Sanaullah, called two days ago and informed that the Prime Minister is willing to look into the issue. Rana Sanaullah also called yesterday and Tuesday. Sharjeel Inam Memon demanded that Shehbaz Sharif is the Prime Minister of the entire country and should act to alleviate and address the anxieties of the people. He stated that the country belongs to its people, and even in the 1991 Water Accord, Sindh is not being provided with its due share. He emphasized that, both legally and constitutionally, Sindh should be given its rightful share of water. Addressing a press conference, Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh Information Secretary Ajiz Dhamrah said that the PPP welcomes the protest for water, as it considers the construction of canals a form of robbery on the Indus River. He added that some elements are trying to steer the protest toward violence and bloodshed. He said that the civil society, writers, and intellectuals of Sindh should come forward, and assured them that the Pakistan Peoples Party stands with them. He added that the PPP will be organizing protest rallies in Sukkur and Mirpurkhas to raise its voice on the issue of water in Pakistan. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
