Zardari gave ‘in-principle approval’ of controversial canals project in July 2024

ISLAMABAD: Although, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has been openly expressing reservations on the issue of new canals, government sources claim President Asif Ali Zardari had given approval for all the strategic canals.

Government sources said President Asif Zardari, while giving in-principle approval for simultaneous construction of all strategic canals, stressed on continuous funding for the canals from federal and provincial governments (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan).

The sources said at the meeting of Green Pakistan Initiative, held under chairmanship of the president at Aiwan-e-Sadr on July 8, 2024, President Zardari gave in-principle approval for simultaneous construction of all the strategic canals. He urged the federal and provincial governments to provide regular funding for the canals.

The canals include Thar Canal, Rainee Canal, Cholistan Canal, Greater Thar Canal, Kachhi Canal and Chashma Right Bank Canal.

According to sources, in the meeting the president was briefed on the importance of six strategic canals and the need for their simultaneous construction.

The president was briefed these canals were an important part of Green Pakistan Initiative, while construction was deemed necessary for increasing national food security and agricultural development.

It may be recalled during the caretaker government in February 2024, Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) had given in-principle approval for PC-1 of the project. However, it had made it subject to approval of Council of Common Interests (CCI). After this, no meeting of CCI has been convened yet.