CCI Endorses Pause on New Canal Projects Until Provinces Reach Consensus

The Council of Common Interests (CCI) Monday endorsed the policy of the federal government under which it decided not to move further on construction of new canals until mutual understanding is evolved among the provinces. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the 52nd meeting of Council of Common Interests at the Prime Minister’s House, where all four provincial chief ministers strongly condemned the unilateral, illegal and irresponsible steps of India after the incident of Pahalgam. The CCI fully welcomed the resolution in the Senate against the illegal and irresponsible steps of India. “Pakistan has the right to protect its water interests in view of the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and stoppage of its water,” the council noted. The Council of Common Interests endorsed the policy of the federal government as given below: Federal government has decided that no new canals will be built without mutual understanding from CCI. It has been decided that the federal government will not move further until mutual understanding is evolved among the provinces. It is engaging all provincial governments to chart out a long-term consensus roadmap for development of agriculture policy & water management infrastructure across Pakistan. Water rights of all provinces are enshrined in the Water Apportionment Accord-1991 and Water Policy-2018; with the consensus of all stakeholders. To allay the concerns of all provinces and to ensure Pakistan’s food and ecological security, a committee is being formed with representation from the federation and all provinces. The committee will propose solutions to Pakistan’s long term agriculture needs and water use of all provinces in line with the two consensus documents. Water is one of the most precious commodities and the makers of the Constitution recognized this, mandating all water disputes to be resolved amicably through mutual understanding and concerns of any province shall be addressed through due diligence amongst all stakeholders. In view of the above, after deliberations, the Council decided that the provisional ECNEC approval dated February 7, 2024, for construction of new canals and the IRSA water availability certificate issued in its meeting dated January 17, 2024, be returned. The CCI directed the Planning Division and IRSA to ensure consultation with all stakeholders, in the interest of national cohesion and to address any and all concerns until mutual understanding is reached. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam and four provincial chief ministers attended the meeting.