No Canals Without CCI Consent
ISLAMABAD: 1. The Council of Common Interests endorses the policy of the federal government as given below:
“Federal Governmet has decided that no new canals will be built without mutual understanding from CCI. It has been decided that the Federal Government will not move further until mutual understanding is evolved among the provinces.
It is engaging all provincial governments to chart out a long-term consensus roadmap for development of agriculture policy & water management infrastructure across Pakistan. Water rights of all provinces are enshrined in the Water Apportionment Accord-1991 and Water Policy-2018; with the consensus of all stakeholders.CCI
To allay the concerns of all provinces and to ensure Pakistan’s food and ecological security, a committee is being formed with representation from the federation and all provinces.
The committee will propose solutions to Pakistan ‘s long term agriculture needs and water use of all provinces in line with the two consensus documents.
Water is one of the most precious commodities and the makers of the Constitution recognized this, mandating all water disputes to be resolved amicably through mutual understanding and concerns of any province shall be addressed through due diligence amongst all stakeholders.
2. In view of the above, after deliberations, the Council decided that the provisional ECNEC approval dated 7 February 2024 for construction of new canals and the IRSA water availability certificate issued in its meeting dated 17 January 2024 be returned. Planning Division and IRSA are directed to ensure consultation with all stakeholders, in the interest of national cohesion and to address any and all concerns until mutual understanding is reached.
