CCI rolls back plan to construct new canals amid protests

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ISLAMABAD: Amid the growing protests in Sindh, the Council of Commonwealth (CCI) changed the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) decision on Monday, February 7, ending the plan to build new streams.

“After the completion of all the major CCI meeting, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said,” The Center will not move forward with any project until there is a comprehensive agreement between all the provinces. “

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over the meeting, initially scheduled on May 2, but today it was sought at the request of the Sindh government, not deliberately on the controversial project of the canals when mass protests are underway.

The eight -member council also includes ministers from all four provinces. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, and Federal Minister Amir resident are also part of the council.

A total of 25 people participated in the CCI meeting on a special invitation. The meeting was deliberately summoned on the six -point agenda.

The CCI reviewed the Sindh government’s agenda item on the proposal of new canal projects.

The statement states that the federal government is engaged with all provincial governments to create a long -term consensus on agricultural policy and water management infrastructure in Pakistan.

It added, “This policy indicates that the water rights of all the provinces are protected by the 1991 water distribution and the 2018 water policy, which has full consensus of the stakeholder.”

A committee will be set up to address the concerns of all the provinces and to ensure the country’s food and environmental protection, which will consist of representatives of the federal government and all the provincial administration.

This committee will recommend solutions that are compatible with two unanimous documents to meet Pakistan’s long -term agricultural needs and water use needs, read the statement.

The statement further reaffirmed that water, as an important national resource, is to be managed by the principles of mutual understanding and cooperation, as the constitution’s framers have imagined.

He added, “The government is committed to resolving all water -affiliated disputes smoothly, ensuring that the concerns of any province are resolved in a bid.”

In light of these discussions, the CCI has decided to return the approval of the temporary ECNEC on February 7, 2024 for the availability of IRSA Water on January 17, 2024, along with the construction of new canals on February 7, 2024, on February 7, 2024.

The Planning Division and the IRSA have been instructed to engage in further consultation with all stakeholders to ensure national harmony and to resolve any other concerns until mutual understanding is achieved.

‘Equal rights of water’

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandpur said that a certified commitment has been made to ensure equal water rights for all the provinces.

During this meeting, he confirmed, the decision to construct new canals from the Indus River was withdrawn. He added, “It has been decided to resolve the issues through mutual understanding.

Gandapur added that the agenda of the next CCI meeting has been approved to include three demands of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that review of the National Finance Commission (NFC) award would also be part of the agenda of the next meeting.

The Chief Minister added that the agenda to recognize tobacco as a formal crop will also be included in the next meeting. He called the KP a major victory for the KP people to include these demands in the agenda.

Sindh urges the roads to clean

Addressing the Geo News program, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that the CCI has decided that the issue of canals will be raised for some other time by the consensus of all the provinces.

He said that a new step on the canals would be taken after 100 % consent of the provinces after reviewing the water situation in the rivers.

“No one will be affected. The Sindh government has been requested to clear the roads as all of them. [protesters] The demands have been accepted, “he added.

The problem of the canal, protests

Over the past few weeks, the case of Cholistan canals has emerged as an important point between the Sindh government led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the government led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The federal government has planned to build six canals on the Indus River to irrigate the Cholistan desert. This is a project that was rejected by its central ally PPP, and other Sindh nationalist parties.

According to official sources, the cost of Cholistan Canal and system is estimated at Rs 211.4 billion and through this project, thousands of acres of barren land can be used for agricultural purposes and 400,000 acres of land can be brought under cultivation.

Almost all political and religious parties, nationalist groups and civil society organizations are currently organizing widespread rallies and sit -ins against the controversial project.

Last week, due to strong opposition to the PPP with CM Shah, even if he was capable of focusing on his concerns over the matter, Prime Minister Shahbaz met Bilawal and assured that no new canals would be constructed unless the CCI reached a consensus.

Despite the premiere assurance, the Khairpur Babalo bypass against the controversial canal project entered his 11th day on Monday after sitting in the Khairpur Babalo bypass-traffic was suspended on Monday and Punjab, while protesting on the Mangrio pump near Dehki on the national highway continued until the 9th day.

The ongoing blockade has had a serious impact on the transportation of essential equipment, including petrol and food, as trucks and trailers are trapped. This has also increased the difficulties for passengers and transporters.

Drivers of heavy containers trapped due to protests have said that their car tires have been deteriorating due to a long standing.