- No new channels without mutual understanding: declaration.
- Body formed to ensure food of the nation, ecological security.
- Asif says that Sindh Govt asked to challenge the roads.
Islamabad: The Common interest Council (CCI) rejected the Federal Government’s proposal for the construction of new channels on Monday, overthrowing the Executive Committee for the Decision of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) taken on February 7.
“No new channel will be built without mutual understanding and consensus among all the provinces … The center will not go ahead with any plan until a full agreement is concluded between the provinces,” said a declaration published by the Prime Minister after the very important CCI meeting.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the meeting, initially scheduled for May 2, but was convened today at the request of the Sindh government, to deliberate on the controversial channel project which sparked a width through the Sindh.
The council of eight members includes the chief ministers of the four provinces. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Federal Minister Ameer Muqam are also part of the Council.
In total, 25 people participated in the CCI meeting on a special invitation. The meeting was summoned to deliberate on a six -point program.
The CCI examined the order of the Sindh government’s agenda concerning the proposal of new channel projects.
The press release said the federal government engaged with all provincial governments to create long -term consensus on agricultural policy and water management infrastructure in Pakistan.
“Policy stresses that the water rights in all provinces are protected by the 1991 water distribution agreement and the 2018 water policy with a complete consensus of the stakeholders,” he added.
To respond to the concerns of all the provinces and ensure the country’s food and ecological security, a committee will be created, made up of representatives of the federal government and all provincial administrations.
This committee would offer solutions that align with the two consensual documents to meet the long -term agricultural needs of Pakistan and the water use requirements, to read the Declaration.
The declaration has also reiterated that water, as a vital national resource, must be managed in accordance with the principles of mutual understanding and cooperation, as envisaged by the editors of the Constitution.
“The Government has undertaken to resolve all the amicable water-related disputes, ensuring that the concerns of any province are discussed by reasonable diligence,” he added.
In light of these discussions, the CCI also decided to return the provisional approval of the ECNEC granted on February 7, 2024 for the construction of new channels, as well as the certificate of water availability of the IRSA issued on January 17, 2024.
The planning division and IRSA have been invited to initiate new consultations with all stakeholders to ensure national cohesion and resolve the remaining concerns until mutual understanding is obtained.
‘Equal Water Rights’
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, said that a reaffirmed commitment had been made to guarantee equal water rights to all provinces.
During the meeting, he confirmed, the decision to build new channels of the Industry river had been withdrawn. “It was decided to solve the problems thanks to a mutual understanding,” he added.
Gandapur added that three of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requests were approved to be included on the agenda of the next CCI meeting. He said that an exam of the National Finance Commission (NFC) will also be part of the agenda for the next session.
The chief minister also said that the agenda to recognize tobacco as an official culture will also be included at the next meeting. He described the inclusion of these requests on the agenda as a major victory for KP people.
Sindh urged to eliminate the roads
Speaking on Geo News AAJ Shahzeb program Khanzada Kay Sath, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that the CCI had decided that the question of the channels would be taken into account another time with the consensus of all provinces.
He said any new initiative concerning the channels would be taken after examining the water situation in rivers “with 100% consent of the provinces.”
“No one would be touched.
Canal problem, protest
The question of Cholistan channels in recent weeks has become a key discord between the Pakistani peoples (PPP) party led the Sindh government and the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the center.
The federal government plans to build six channels on the Industry river to irrigate the Cholistan desert – a project that was rejected by its main Ally PPP and other nationalist parties in the Sindh.
According to government sources, the estimated cost of the canal and the Cholistan system is 211.4 billion rupees and through the project, thousands of sterile land acres can be used for agricultural purposes and 400,000 acres of land can be cultivated.
Almost all political and religious parties, nationalist groups and civil society organizations as well as lawyers are currently organizing rallies and sit-ins widespread in the Sindh against the controversial plan.
Despite the Prime Minister’s insurance, the sit -in in Khairpur Baberlo is bypassing the controversial channel project entered its 11th day on Monday – leaving traffic between the Sindh and the suspended Punjab – while the demonstration in Mangrio Pump near Daharki on the national road continued until his 9th consecutive day.
The current blockade has seriously had an impact on transporting essential products, including petrol and food, as trucks and trailers remain blocked. This has also led to an increase in the difficulties of shuttle and carriers.
The heavy container drivers blocked due to the demonstration indicated that their vehicle tires deteriorate due to the prolonged position.