CCI Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Canal Project

A Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting has been scheduled for May 2 (Friday) to deliberate on the canals project. This follows the federal government’s decision to postpone the project after facing opposition in Sindh for several weeks.

According to an official announcement made on Friday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over the 52nd CCI meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and Federal Minister Amir Muqam are expected to be in attendance. Invitations to participate have been extended to the chief ministers representing all four provinces.

Law Minister Azad Nazeer Tarar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Science and Health Minister Mustafa Kamal are also slated to be present during the session.

Special invitations have been issued to the ministers overseeing petroleum, water resources, and the power division. Additionally, the chief secretaries from all provinces have been specially invited to participate.

Previously, PM Shehbaz, alongside Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, stated during a joint press briefing that the construction of any new canal would only proceed with mutual consensus through the CCI platform.

PM Shehbaz and PPP leader Bilawal briefed the media on the outcomes of their meeting. The PPP delegation, headed by Bilawal, included Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, PPP Secretary General Humayoon Khan, PPP Secretary Information Nadeem Afzal Chan, Shazia Marri, Jam Khan Shoro, and Jameel Ahmed Soomro.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the federal government is collaborating with all provincial administrations to develop a comprehensive, long-term strategy for agricultural development and water management infrastructure throughout Pakistan.

“We thoroughly discussed the canal issue, and it was proposed that as a federation, Pakistan requires that inter-provincial matters be addressed with genuine sincerity, goodwill, and in an amicable manner,” he added.

The federal government’s proposal to construct six canals to irrigate Punjab’s Cholistan desert under the Green Pakistan Initiative, which began in February, caused friction between the PML-N and its coalition partner, which governs Sindh.

Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressed a press conference in Karachi, stating that the controversial canal projects issue was progressing towards a resolution and encouraged protesters to transform their demonstrations into celebrations.

He noted that in a democratic system, dissenting voices should be acknowledged. “We are engaging with the protesters as directed by the PPP chairman,” he said, mentioning the presence of senior PPP leaders Nisar Khuhro and Khursheed Shah at the protest site.

“If needed, I am prepared to personally engage with the demonstrators,” he affirmed. He also noted that those wishing to campaign against the party are entitled to do so, as protesting is a democratic right.

Murad emphasized that the issues faced by the people of Sindh were being resolved under Bilawal’s guidance. “We will oppose any initiative that compromises Sindh’s interests,” he asserted.

Commenting on the demonstrations, the CM stated that the ongoing protests have significantly impacted the economy, and roads currently blocked should be reopened. “Some oppose the canal construction, while others are simply against the PPP,” he remarked.

Murad stated that the Prime Minister acknowledged the matter’s importance, surpassing several federal issues. “The canal matter is now resolved,” he declared.

He also criticised the narrative surrounding the supposed infringement of Sindh’s rights, stating, “To address these narratives, Bilawal is directly engaging with the public.”