Official announcement expected following key meeting in Islamabad
KARACHI: The federal government has reportedly agreed to roll back its decision to construct six canals on the Indus River. An official announcement is expected later this evening.
The decision comes amid rising tensions between the federal government and the Sindh administration, which has strongly opposed the project over concerns about water scarcity and regional equity.
A crucial meeting to finalize the agreement is scheduled for 4 PM today in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will meet with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah is also expected to attend.
Background and Protests
The canal project has sparked widespread opposition in Sindh, particularly from the PPP-led provincial government. With water levels in the Indus River already strained due to ongoing drought conditions, the proposal to construct additional canals deepened the political divide between Sindh and the PML-N-led federal and Punjab governments.
Protesters staged sit-ins on major highways across Sindh, halting traffic and causing significant disruptions. Among the consequences of the protests were approximately 250 containers of potatoes stuck at the province’s entry points. Bound for export, the perishable goods are at risk of spoilage due to delayed transit and the inability to maintain temperature controls, exporters warned.
The Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association raised alarms over the situation, noting that the delay could lead to heavy financial losses if immediate steps are not taken to restore transport routes.
Sindh’s Stance
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reiterated that it was the Sindh government that first raised objections to the canal project. Speaking to the media in Karachi, Shah confirmed that the province had moved the Council of Common Interests (CCI) against the plan as early as June 2024.
“The people of Sindh have rejected this project, and we will not allow its implementation,” Shah declared. He also emphasized that the provincial government has not taken any action against protesters, welcoming peaceful demonstrations and reaffirming the province’s right to defend its water share.
As the political dialogue continues, the potential rollback of the Indus canals project marks a significant moment in inter-provincial water politics — and a potential easing of tensions between the federal and Sindh governments.
