The federal government has convened an emergency meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) today (Monday) to deliberate on the contentious issue of six proposed canals to be constructed from the Indus River, as announced by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
The ambitious Cholistan Canal project, inaugurated on February 15 by Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, aims to irrigate South Punjab’s arid lands. However, it has sparked widespread protests in Sindh, with concerns over water distribution and environmental impact. In response to escalating tensions and disruptions, the federal government decided to advance the CCI meeting, initially scheduled for May 2, to today.
Minister Memon confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned the CCI meeting in Islamabad this evening. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is expected to represent the province. The meeting follows discussions between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the Prime Minister, aiming to resolve the canal issue through consensus.
The decision to expedite the CCI meeting comes amid ongoing protests that have disrupted interprovincial transportation, with lawyers continuing their sit-in at the Babarloi bypass in Khairpur district since April 18. Minister Memon emphasized that the Sindh government requested the earlier meeting date to address the economic losses and public inconvenience caused by the protests.
In a related development, the All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance (APGTA) has announced plans to protest outside the Sindh Chief Minister’s House in Karachi at 4 pm today, demanding the reopening of blocked roads. Transporters report that approximately 30,000 trucks and oil tankers are affected, with each vehicle carrying goods worth around Rs10 million. Manufacturers have halted production due to raw material shortages, and port authorities anticipate serious congestion.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar reiterated the government’s recognition of the right to peaceful protest but urged protesters to avoid causing public inconvenience. He assured that no legal action would be taken against peaceful demonstrators and called for vigilance against potential disruptions.
The outcome of today’s CCI meeting is anticipated to have significant implications for federal-provincial relations and the future of water resource management in Pakistan.
