KARACHI: The Provincial Assembly of Sindh passed a historic and unanimous resolution rejecting the proposed construction of six new canals on the Indus River and its tributaries, including the Cholistan Canal.
On behalf of the Government of Sindh, Syeda Tehseen Abidi, reaffirm unwavering stance in protecting Sindh’s rightful share of water and securing the future of our people.
The construction of these canals poses a grave threat to the already fragile water situation in Sindh. As a lower riparian province, Sindh has long borne the brunt of upstream diversions, facing severe water shortages, agricultural decline, environmental degradation, and damage to the Indus Delta – a lifeline for our ecosystem and coastal communities.
The proposed projects are not only unconstitutional but also in clear violation of the 1991 Water Accord, which ensures fair and equitable distribution of water among all provinces. Such unilateral actions compromise the rights of Sindh’s people and threaten the sustainability of our agriculture, economy, and environment.
The Sindh Assembly has categorically rejected these projects and called upon the federal government and the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to honor the terms of the 1991 Water Accord. The resolution also demands an immediate halt to all activities related to the construction of the Cholistan Canal and other similar projects until thorough consultations with all stakeholders, especially Sindh, are held.
As the elected government of Sindh, we will not allow any violation of our constitutional and water rights. We stand united with the people of Sindh, their elected representatives, and our leadership in ensuring justice, equity, and sustainability.
Let it be known that any attempt to divert water without Sindh’s consent will face firm resistance. The unity demonstrated today in the Sindh Assembly is a powerful message: Sindh will protect its lifeline — the Indus River — at all costs.
