Pakistan's Sindh protesters weigh next steps despite canal construction freeze

Protesters in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh have welcomed the federal government's decision to pause the construction of new canals on the Indus River, the country’s primary source of irrigation water. However, the demonstrators have not yet decided whether to call off their protest.

Amir Nawaz Warraich, who is leading the protest movement, said in a speech late Monday night that a 14-member committee will determine the next course of action.

“Congratulations to all of you once again. Celebrate your success. Allah Almighty has granted you a great victory,” said Warraich, who is also president of Karachi Bar Council, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Syed Jafar Shah, another lawyer leading the sit-in, said the protest will continue until the canal freeze is formally signed by federal authorities and the Sindh government cancels land leases granted for corporate farming under the Pakistan Green Initiative.

The government’s emergency response came amid widespread demonstrations that had blocked Pakistan’s National Highway, disrupting the flow of goods between Sindh, Punjab, and other regions.

Canal project freeze

In response to the escalating crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired on Monday an emergency session of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), Pakistan’s top constitutional forum for resolving disputes between the federation and provinces.

According to an official statement, the CCI has paused plans for new canals and decided that no future canal projects will proceed without unanimous agreement among the provinces.

“The federal government will not construct any new canals without mutual understanding,” the statement read, adding that a national, consensus-based roadmap for agricultural development and water management will be developed in consultation with all provincial governments.

Is there a catch?

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Jr., a strong opponent of the new canals, expressed skepticism in a Facebook video, saying the decision does not meet the core demand that no new canals be built on the Indus River system.

"They called the meeting not because they listened to your demands, but because they are scared of the public. This is a win for the people.

"Our struggle will continue. Whoever loves Indus River, I love them," he said.

Analyst Naseer Memon echoed similar concerns, pointing out that while construction appears to be on hold, the canals were not formally rejected.

"The matter has been adjourned. At present, the canals do not seem to be getting any construction, but the word 'rejection' is not written anywhere for it."

He noted that the Planning Commission and IRSA have been tasked with addressing provincial objections and securing consensus, suggesting the projects could be revived later under more favorable conditions.

Sindh CM criticizes misinformation campaign

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the prime minister had assured him in their first meeting that no canals would be built. Shah confirmed that all work related to the canal projects had been suspended and reiterated that no construction would take place without the CCI’s consensus.

He also announced that the CCI had given only interim approval to seven canals and revoked the permission previously granted for the Cholistan Canal. Furthermore, the Planning Division and the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) have been instructed not to bring these projects to any forum again without consensus.

Shah criticized misinformation campaigns claiming canal construction had already begun.

He said a video was wrongly shown as canal construction, but Sindh engineers confirmed no work was underway.

“We were confident that when no funds had been allocated, how could these canals be built?” he said.

The chief minister also condemned attempts to drag President Asif Ali Zardari into the controversy.

The president had clearly stated in a joint session of parliament that he would not accept any unilateral decisions, he said. “Even after clarification, efforts were made to criticize President Zardari unfairly,” he added.

He accused certain elements of spreading propaganda in Sindh and misleading the public, fueling unnecessary tensions.

“We urge protesters to end their sit-ins immediately,” Shah appealed. “People are suffering, medical supplies are blocked, and livestock is dying.”

The canal dispute has exposed cracks in Pakistan’s ruling coalition, pitting Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which governs Punjab, against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which controls Sindh.

Controversial canal projects and Green Initiative

The federal government’s original plans included six new canals - five on the Indus River and one on the Sutlej River. These were: the Rainee and Thar Canals in Sindh, the Kacchi Canal in Balochistan, the Chashma Right Bank Canal in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Cholistan and Greater Thal Canals in Punjab.

Three of these - Rainee, Kacchi, and Chashma Right Bank - have been under construction since the early 2000s, predating the current dispute. However, they have long drawn criticism from water experts and civil society in Sindh, who argue that further canal development could exacerbate water scarcity and environmental degradation, particularly in the already fragile Indus Delta.

These projects are part of the Pakistan Green Initiative, which aims to expand corporate farming nationwide through public-private partnerships.

According to the 1991 Indus River System Accord, any new irrigation project must be approved by IRSA. Earlier this year, IRSA issued a certificate clearing the Cholistan Canal, but Sindh’s representative Ehsan Laghari opposed it, warning of potential harm to Sindh’s water rights. While Punjab maintains that the Cholistan Canal would use its existing share of water, Sindh argues that Punjab has not clarified which regions would sacrifice water to make this possible.

This lack of clarity has heightened fears that water meant for Sindh could be diverted to irrigate new farmland in Cholistan. Experts warn that such diversions could further reduce freshwater flow into the sea, devastating the coastal ecology and threatening the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the Indus Delta.