Islamabad, April 24, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced a significant breakthrough in interprovincial water management, stating that no new canals will be constructed in Pakistan without a consensus decision by the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
The decision was announced during a joint press conference with Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari following a high-level meeting in Islamabad. The session focused on growing concerns over water distribution among provinces and recent developments linked to India’s actions on water matters.
“The federal government has decided that no further progress on canal construction will be made unless all provinces agree through the CCI,” said the prime minister. “We also informed Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari about India’s recent unilateral announcements regarding water, which remain a matter of serious concern.”
PM Shehbaz also disclosed that a special session of the CCI will be convened on May 2, during which both the PPP and the PML-N will stand united in support of federal decisions aimed at managing water resources and addressing canal-related grievances.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed appreciation for the government’s responsiveness to Sindh’s concerns:
“No new canals will be built without mutual agreement among all provinces. This decision directly addresses the public’s concerns and reinforces federal unity,” said Bilawal.
He also highlighted the precedent set by the Kalabagh Dam issue:
“Three provinces have opposed the Kalabagh Dam, and a consensus on that matter already exists. Today, we reaffirm that same approach—consensus first.”
Bilawal further emphasized that India’s recent statements regarding water posed a serious regional challenge requiring vigilance and cohesive national strategy.
According to insider sources, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has agreed to all conditions set by the PPP to move forward on water-related issues. This includes ensuring that future projects involving the Indus River or interprovincial water management are first vetted through the CCI.
The meeting was attended by a senior PPP delegation including Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Humayun Khan, Nadeem Afzal Chan, Shazia Marri, Jam Khan Shoro, and Jameel Ahmad Soomro.
