CCI withdraws canals project amid widespread Sindh protests

The Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Monday scrapped plans for the construction of new canals, reversing an earlier decision by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) made on February 7.

The decision, announced after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, came amid sustained protests across Sindh against the controversial project. The Prime Minister's Office stated that no new canals will be constructed without consensus among all provinces.

The eight-member CCI, which includes the chief ministers of all four provinces, reviewed the Sindh government’s objections to the project.

Following the meeting, it was announced that a committee comprising federal and provincial representatives will be formed to propose long-term solutions for agricultural development and water management.

Read: PPP warns of dismantling federal govt over canals issue

The move marks a significant concession to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government, which had fiercely opposed the federal government’s plan to construct six canals to irrigate the Cholistan desert.

The protests have severely impacted the movement of goods between Sindh and Punjab, with sit-ins blocking major highways for over 10 days, stranding vehicles and disrupting the supply of essential commodities.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur welcomed the decision and confirmed that three KP demands, including a review of the National Finance Commission Award, would be added to the agenda for the next CCI meeting.

The CCI also directed the Planning Division and the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to hold further consultations to resolve water distribution issues with national consensus.