Council of Common Interests Meeting: Project for New Canals from Indus River Cancelled

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a crucial meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), where it was unanimously decided to cancel the project aimed at constructing new canals from the Indus River.

Project Officially Withdrawn by Consensus

The meeting, attended by all four provincial chief ministers and senior officials, saw the federal government formally announce the withdrawal of the canal construction project.
It was further agreed that a technical committee would be established to develop the future strategy regarding canal infrastructure.

Early Convening of the Meeting at Sindh Government’s Request

Initially, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had scheduled the CCI meeting for May 2 after consultations with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership.
However, following a request from the Sindh government, the meeting was convened immediately.
Earlier, the Prime Minister had made it clear that no new canals would be constructed until a final decision was taken by the CCI.

Chief Minister KP Welcomes Decision

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said the CCI had rejected the canal project.
He emphasized that every province would now receive its rightful share of water, and all inter-provincial issues would be addressed through dialogue.

Constitutional and Financial Issues Discussed

Gandapur highlighted that matters related to the 10th and 11th National Finance Commission (NFC) Awards were also discussed, with progress underway toward their resolution.
He added that the issue of Net Hydel Profit (NHP), based on the AGN Qazi formula, had been included in the agenda for the next CCI meeting scheduled in June.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, tobacco, despite being a major cash crop, had not been recognized under provincial agriculture rights—a discrepancy that would now be rectified.

KP Set to Benefit by PKR 100 Billion

Ali Amin Gandapur stressed that these constitutional rights, previously denied, would now finally be delivered through proper inclusion in the CCI’s agenda.