Sindh-Centre tussle over water projects continues

Despite Sindh's opposition in the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting on Wednesday, the federal government has insisted on the construction of the controversial Greater Thal Canal Phase II and Chobara Canal projects for the “irrigation of two million acres of barren land” in Punjab.

Following the PPP's objections and demands, Ecnec has decided to postpone the approval of the Greater Thal Canal Phase II and Chobara Canal projects once again and sent the matter back to the Central Development Working Party (CDWP).

The committee has decided to convene a meeting next week to hear Sindh's concerns over the projects.

The Ecnec meeting was chaired by Finance Adviser Shaukat Tarin. Nisar Khuhro and Jam Khan Shoro from Sindh participated in the meeting via video link.

When the Greater Thal Phase II and Chobara Branch Canal projects were presented on the agenda, PPP Sindh President Khuhro protested and said the schemes were a death warrant for Sindh and its people.

"These plans are not acceptable to Sindh in any way and the province should not be punished for making Pakistan by launching these controversial projects," he added.

Khuhro further noted that Sindh was on the tail and the first right of water belonged to it. “Sindh is already facing a severe water shortage and not even getting its fair share.”

Read Sindh, IFC sign deal on potable water supply

He added that as a result, three million acres in Sindh, including Thatta and Badin, had been lost to the sea. "If these projects start amid the water scarcity, Sindh will become barren."

Khuhro maintained that these projects were in violation of the 1991 water agreement and IRSA Act 1982. He added that these plans had not been approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) as well as the CDWP and Ecnec. “Therefore, these plans should be scrapped.”

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro took a stand that the 1991 water agreement was not being implemented.

“There is a severe shortage of water in Sindh. These projects are an attempt to irrigate two million acres of barren land in Punjab,” he added.

Tarin noted that this was a sensitive issue. Giving the Centre's perspective, the adviser said If Punjab was constructing these canals with its own funding and the projects were not affecting the water of Sindh, then a meeting should be convened next week to hear the concerns of the provinces.

It was decided to send the matter back to the CDWP and the approval of these projects was postponed for the second time due to the objections of Sindh.