ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government on Thursday decided to halt the construction of new canals until a consensus is reached within the Council of Common Interests (CCI) amid uncertainty created by India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, made the announcement, stressing the need for a unified approach before moving forward with any major water infrastructure projects.
Speaking on the occasion, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned India’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it not only illegal but also a violation of international norms.
“The Indian government’s decision to unilaterally suspend the Indus Waters Treaty is unjust and against humanity,” Bilawal said. “Pakistan will take this matter to international forums and respond to India’s actions firmly and diplomatically.”
Prime Minister Sharif said, “No new canals will be built without mutual understanding and agreement from the CCI.”
The decision reflects Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring that all provinces are on board with the country’s water management plans.
The federal government has made it clear that no further progress will be made on the canals project until there is an agreement among all provincial stakeholders.
“The federal government is engaging all provincial governments to create a long-term roadmap for agriculture policy and water management,” PM Shehbaz Sharif said, noting that the water rights of all provinces are safeguarded under the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 and the Water Policy of 2018.
A committee will be formed to address concerns and propose solutions in line with these agreements.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of water as a national asset, emphasising that the Constitution mandates the resolution of water disputes through consensus.
He also confirmed that a meeting of the CCI would be convened on May 2 to review and approve the federal government’s stance on water management.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that no new canals would be constructed without the mutual consent of all stakeholders.
On Wednesday, India unilaterally announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, which has been in place since 1960 and regulates the sharing of water from the Indus River system between the two countries.
India’s move to suspend the treaty came in the wake of the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which New Delhi claimed was linked to Pakistan. However, India has provided no concrete evidence to support its allegations.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has been a key document in managing water resources between the two nations. The treaty allocates water from the Indus River system to both Pakistan and India, with a mechanism in place to resolve disputes through the India-Pakistan Indus Commission.
