The Council of Common Interests (CCI) convened on Monday and endorsed the federal government’s policy, deciding to halt the construction of new canals until mutual consensus is reached among the provinces. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the 52nd CCI meeting at the Prime Minister’s House, where all four provincial chief ministers voiced strong condemnation of India’s unilateral actions following the Pahalgam incident.
The CCI welcomed the Senate’s resolution against India’s actions, reaffirming Pakistan’s right to safeguard its water interests, especially in light of the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and the halting of its water supply by India.
The key decision taken by the Council of Common Interests was the federal government’s approach to canal construction. The federal government will not proceed with any new canal projects without prior agreement from the CCI, and efforts will be focused on building a consensus across all provinces. A comprehensive consultation process will be initiated to ensure a shared vision for agriculture policy and water management infrastructure across Pakistan.
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The Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 and the Water Policy of 2018, which outline the water rights of all provinces, will serve as guiding frameworks in this effort. To address the concerns of all provinces and ensure food and ecological security, a new committee will be established, with representation from both the federation and the provinces. This committee will propose long-term solutions to meet Pakistan’s agricultural needs and manage water usage across the provinces, in line with previously agreed-upon documents.
The CCI emphasized the importance of resolving water disputes amicably and addressing any concerns through proper consultation with all stakeholders. In this regard, the council decided to return the provisional ECNEC approval from February 7, 2024, for the construction of new canals and the IRSA water availability certificate issued on January 17, 2024.
The CCI directed the Planning Division and IRSA to ensure continued dialogue with all stakeholders to maintain national cohesion and resolve any issues until a mutual understanding is achieved.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, and the four provincial chief ministers.
