In a key policy decision, the Council of Common Interests (CCI), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has rejected the proposal to construct new canals from the Indus River. The decision was made during the 52nd meeting of the CCI, attended by the chief ministers of all four provinces, along with senior federal ministers including Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Asif, and Amir Muqam.
The council reviewed a six-point agenda, which included a proposal from the Sindh government regarding the construction of new canals from the Indus. After deliberation, the CCI rejected both the proposal and a previous decision by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) dated February 7. The matter will now be referred back to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) for further review.
A joint declaration released after the meeting emphasized that no new canal projects would be initiated without mutual consent among all provinces. The federal government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency, consultation, and adherence to constitutional provisions in all water-related matters.
The declaration also condemned India’s “unilateral, illegal, and irresponsible” actions following the recent Pahalgam incident, calling for national unity in response to any potential acts of aggression or misadventure by India. All four chief ministers pledged full support to the federal government in defending the country’s sovereignty.
The statement reaffirmed that water is a national asset and any dispute over it must be resolved through dialogue and consensus. The federal government is preparing a long-term roadmap for water resource management and sustainable agricultural policy, in collaboration with all provinces.
The council confirmed that the water rights of each province are protected under the 1991 Water Accord and the 2018 National Water Policy. To address provincial concerns and ensure food and environmental security, a committee comprising federal and provincial representatives will be formed. This committee will propose long-term solutions for water distribution and agricultural needs in line with agreed frameworks.
Additionally, the council decided to revoke ECNEC’s approval for the canal project dated February 7, 2024, and return the IRSA certificate issued on January 17, 2024.
Ahead of the CCI meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held discussions with all four chief ministers—Maryam Nawaz (Punjab), Murad Ali Shah (Sindh), Sarfraz Bugti (Balochistan), and Ali Amin Gandapur (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Following the meeting, CM Gandapur confirmed that the IRSA communication regarding the canal project had been withdrawn and welcomed the reaffirmation of water rights for all provinces.
The meeting, originally scheduled for May 2, was convened earlier at the request of the Sindh government due to growing concerns over the proposed canal development.
