canal capers: the council's crisp countermove against new waterways
Provincial consensus on water infrastructure development is now mandatory, according to the latest decision by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), putting a halt to controversial canal projects.
In a bold and braving power play, the Council of Common Interests (CCI) has thrown down the gauntlet in a raging battle over canal projects. The CCI, on Monday, endorsed a firm federal policy requiring unanimous provincial agreement before launching any new canal ventures, as per a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
Taking the reins, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif steered an emergency 52nd session of the CCI at the PM's residence, where all four provincial chief ministers united in denouncing India's "highhanded, illicit, and reckless actions" in light of the Pahalgam incident's aftermath. Their condemnation echoed in the leafy confines of the PM's house.
This high-powered council, serving as the constitutional forum for inter-provincial harmony, fired off a scathing critique at New Delhi, uttering: "Pakistan is a peaceful and mature nation, but we know how to defend ourselves when pushed."
"In the event of the Indus Waters Treaty's suspension and obstruction of Pakistan's water share, Pakistan reserves the right to protect its water interests," the forum asserted.
As tensions escalate over India's supposed violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, the CCI's statement has set the stage for a potent showdown.
Following the heated CCI session, the federal government has declared that no additional canals will break ground without attaining mutual understanding among the provinces. Consequently, the much-disputed February 7, 2024, ECNEC approval for canal construction and IRSA's January 2024 water availability certificate have been returned for reconsideration.
The Planning Division and IRSA were tasked with ensuring consultation with all stakeholders, with the primary objective of national cohesion. Emphasizing their constitutional obligations, the CCI pointed out that water rights for every province are ensconced in the Water Apportionment Accord-1991 and Water Policy-2018.
In an effort to address the concerns of each province through due diligence, a new committee with federal and provincial representation will craft a lengthy agriculture and water management roadmap.
The CCI's statement underscored the significance of water as "one of the most treasured commodities" and emphasized that its decision is intended to fortify not only Pakistan's food security but also inter-provincial harmony.
The PM Office underlined that all future infrastructure projects must conform to the guidelines established by the consensus documents governing water distribution. This represents a triumph for provincial autonomy advocates but poses challenges for essential irrigation projects as climate concerns mount. With the formation of the new committee, though, key players hope to dismantle years of stalemate through constructive dialogue.
The meeting, prompted by PM Shehbaz, dealt with the ongoing clash over the suspension of the contentious canal project on the Indus River. The meeting, initially scheduled for May 2, has taken on new significance as it now stands to reshape the country's watery landscape.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced the updated meeting date, highlighting the urgent need to resolve the inter-provincial spat that has strained Sindh-Punjab relations. The chief ministers of all four provinces have received invitations to attend the meeting, alongside Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Science and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal.
On Thursday, PM Shehbaz declared that the government is temporarily halting the critical canal irrigation project, stating that no new canals will commence until a special committee convenes to address concerns surrounding the project and reaches unanimous consensus. The premier made this statement during a joint press conference with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stressed that no unilateral decisions would be taken on canal projects without provincial agreement.
The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord remains a pivotal agreement controlling the distribution of water from the Indus River across Pakistan's provinces. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) bears responsibility for implementing this water distribution and resolving any associated disputes.
Meanwhile, shutter-down strikes and sit-in protests persist in various cities of Sindh in response to the six controversial canal dilemma.
- The CCI's firm federal policy in 2024, requiring unanimous provincial agreement before launching any new canal ventures, aims to protect Pakistan's water interest and food security, emphasizing the significance of water as a valuable commodity.
- The political landscape of Punjab, Pakistan, is navigating a challenging watershed moment, as inter-provincial tensions over canal projects strain Sindh-Punjab relations, with key players hoping to dismantle years of stalemate through constructive dialogue.
- In a move towards responsible politics and policy-and-legislation, the federal government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has suspended a contentious canal project on the Indus River, ensuring no new canals will commence until a special committee convenes to address concerns and reaches a unanimous consensus.
- The prospect of a national cohesion roadmap, crafted by a new committee with federal and provincial representation, is underway to ensure consultation with all stakeholders, particularly in the alarming field of commodities—water—as climate concerns mount.
- The ongoing clash over the suspension of the contentious canal project on the Indus River, initially scheduled for May 2, has taken on new significance as it now stands to reshape the country's watery landscape, with the much-disputed ECNEC approval for canal construction and IRSA's January 2024 water availability certificate being returned for reconsideration.
