Sindh Assembly unanimously passes resolution against Indus canals project

The Sindh Assembly on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution presented by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah against the proposed construction of new canals on the Indus River, in order to ensure continuous availability of water for farming activities and human consumption in the province.

The resolution, supported by the lawmakers on both the treasury and opposition benches in the House, mentioned that the Indus River served as the backbone for the farming activities and economy of Sindh. It mentioned that the lives of hundreds of thousands of inhabitants of the province were dependent upon the river. It said the 1991 Water Accord provided a formula for the equitable distribution of river water among the provinces.

The resolution mentioned that no new irrigation canals could be built as per the 1991 Water Accord. It expressed the fear that the construction of six new canals on the Indus River would exacerbate the water shortage in Sindh and create serious repercussions for the farming sector, economy and environment of the province.

It demanded that the federal government take the provinces on board regarding its plan to build the new canals. The resolution mentioned that Sindh would never lend support to a project, which would prove harmful to its farming sector as it had been facing acute water shortage.

The resolution urged the federal government to immediately halt the construction of new canals. Sindh Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon said it was a matter of pleasure that the resolution presented by the CM had also been supported by the Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan.

He said that the entire province was united in raising concern on real issues. Memon stressed that before any major project was initiated anywhere in the world, a feasibility report was prepared, and the benefit of one specific area could not be prioritised over the collective benefit of all.

He stated that just as pain in one part of the body affected the whole body, Pakistan was also like a single body and if one part of the country suffered, the entire country felt its impact. Pakistan was a federation, and its biggest guardian had always been the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which had consistently prioritised national unity, Memon said.

He recalled that even during difficult times, President Asif Ali Zardari raised the slogan of "Pakistan Khappay" and the PPP always gave top priority to Pakistan’s integrity. He stressed that the issue of water was not merely about supply but it was as essential to human life as oxygen. He said that if someone's oxygen supply was cut off, they would protest—and this was precisely what was happening in Sindh. He questioned where people would go if water became scarce throughout Sindh, noting that in the past, people from Thar migrated to other areas during droughts, but now the entire province was at risk.

He mentioned a World Bank report predicting a severe water crisis by 2025, which could lead to a 70 per cent reduction in food production. The 2021 World Bank report also warned that there would be interprovincial water disputes in 2025.

The information minister stated that Zardari had permanently buried the Kalabagh Dam project and taken steps in favour of provincial autonomy. He accused certain individuals of bargaining over Sindh’s water for political power and claimed that one of them had even been made Sindh’s CM in past despite having previously campaigned in favour of the Kalabagh Dam.

He recalled that when Jalal Mehmood Shah was the deputy speaker and a resolution against the Kalabagh Dam was presented in the Sindh Assembly, he turned off the assembly's lights and left the house.

He stated that the PPP had always worked for Pakistan’s strength and would continue to do so. Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro told the House that natives of Sindh had always been alert about their water rights. He recalled that earlier, the natives of Sindh had rejected the Kalabagh Dam and the Sindh Assembly had also passed resolutions against the Thal Canal.

He stressed that President Zardari had played no role in approving the new canal

project. The leader of the opposition, Ali Khursheedi, of the MQM-P said his party had in the past supported the protest drives against the Kalabagh Dam and Thal Canal. He asked President Zardari to convene a meeting to oppose the canals' project.