Islamabad: The Federal Government has announced that no new canals will be constructed without achieving mutual understanding from the Council of Common Interests (CCI). This decision was unveiled by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting with a delegation from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), led by its Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, in Islamabad on Thursday.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Government of Pakistan will hold off on any new canal projects until a consensus is reached among all provinces. The federal government is actively engaging with provincial governments to develop a long-term roadmap for agricultural policy and water management infrastructure throughout the country. This initiative aims to ensure that the water rights of all provinces, as outlined in the Water Apportionment Accord-1991 and Water Policy-2018, are respected with the agreement of all stakeholders.
To address the concerns of all provinces and safeguard Pakistan’s food and ecological security, a committee is being established. This committee will include representatives from the federation and all provinces and will be tasked with proposing solutions for Pakistan’s long-term agricultural needs and water usage in alignment with the consensus documents. The Prime Minister reiterated the constitutional mandate to resolve water disputes amicably and ensure that the concerns of any province are addressed through due diligence.
A meeting of the Council of Common Interests is scheduled for the 2nd of the next month, where representatives from the PPP and PML-N will endorse the federal government’s policy. Any proposals will be referred back to the relevant agency to foster consensus. During the meeting, Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari thanked the Prime Minister and expressed his commitment to collaborating with the government. He affirmed that no new canals will be built without mutual consensus.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also addressed the recent announcement by India to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, condemning it as both illegal and against humanity. He expressed a strong determination to advocate for Pakistan’s position on the international stage and deliver a strong response to India.