Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) today to discuss the ongoing controversy surrounding the construction of new canals on the Indus River, which has sparked significant protests in Sindh.
This emergency meeting was called earlier than originally planned—initially scheduled for May 2—at the request of the Sindh government.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon confirmed the development, stating that the meeting would take place in Islamabad, where key provincial leaders and federal ministers are expected to attend.
These include the Chief Ministers of all four provinces, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal.
The conflict centers around the proposed construction of six new canals, which have led to sit-in protests and shutter-down strikes in various Sindh cities.
Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended the new canal projects, awaiting the outcome of a special committee review.
He emphasized that no unilateral decisions regarding canal construction would be made without a consensus among the provinces.
The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord, which governs water distribution from the Indus River, remains central to the ongoing discussions.
The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) is tasked with implementing the accord and resolving disputes related to water sharing.
The Sindh government’s opposition stems from concerns over the potential impact on the province’s water share, which could be reduced by the construction of new canals.
The protests, which have included road blockages and sit-ins, have severely disrupted the public, as well as agricultural activities, livestock movement, and import-export operations.
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Memon also called for the immediate reopening of roads to prevent further economic losses and to ensure the smooth transport of goods.
Despite the ongoing protests, Memon acknowledged the significant role played by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in managing the situation, claiming that the issue has been effectively addressed and is set to be resolved in today’s CCI meeting.
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The government’s aim is to bring the dispute to a permanent resolution, ensuring that all parties are in agreement and that no unilateral decisions are made that could affect the equitable distribution of the Indus River’s water resources.
