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CCI REJECTS FEDERAL GOVT’S PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT NEW CANALS FROM INDUS RIVER Tuesday, 29 April, 2025 I 30 Shawwal, 1446
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FORUM EVOLVES NOT TO CARVE OUT NEW CANALS WITHOUT CONSENSUS AMONG ALL PROVINCES
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ISLAMABAD
MIAN ABRAR
HE Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Monday rejected the federal government’s proposal to construct new canals from the Indus River, overturning an earlier decision by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) made in February. “No new canals will be constructed without mutual understanding and consensus among all provinces,” stated a release from the Prime Minister’s Office following the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The CCI also strongly condemned the unilateral, illegal and irresponsible steps of India after the incident of Pahalgam. While representing the national aspirations, the CCI gave a message of unity and solidarity to the nation in the
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 292 I 40 Pages I Lahore Edition
CCI STRONGLY CONDEMNS UNILATERAL, ILLEGAL STEPS OF INDIA AFTER PAHALGAM INCIDENT
backdrop of the illegal Indian measures and in case of any kind of aggression by the hostile country. The CCI stated that Pakistan was a peaceful and responsible country but fully knew how to defend itself. All the provincial chief ministers expressed unity and national solidarity in a unified voice against the illegal acts of India. The CCI fully welcomed the resolution in the Senate against the illegal and irresponsible steps of India. “Pakistan has the right to protect its water interests in view of the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and stoppage of its water,” the council noted. The high-level meeting, convened early at the request of the Sindh government, was attended by the chief ministers of all four provinces, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister Ameer Muqam, and other officials.
The CCI agreed to withdraw provisional approval for the project, and announced the formation of a federal-provincial committee to propose long-term agricultural and water management solutions in line with the 1991 Water Accord and the 2018 Water Policy. “The government is committed to resolving all water-related disputes amicably, ensuring that the concerns of any province are addressed through due diligence,” the statement added. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur welcomed the move, saying, “It has been decided to resolve issues through mutual understanding.” He confirmed that some of KP’s demands, including the recognition of tobacco as a formal crop and the review of the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, would be added to the next CCI agenda.
The decision comes amid widespread protests across Sindh over the canals project. The plan to construct six canals at an estimated cost of Rs211.4 billion faced strong resistance from the Sindh government and nationalist groups, who warned that the move would deprive Sindh of its rightful share of water. Sit-ins and blockades at key highways, now lasting over 10 days, have disrupted the movement of goods between Sindh and Punjab, causing shortages of petrol and food supplies. Stranded transporters reported increasing damage to vehicles as the protests continued without resolution. Despite PM Shehbaz’s assurances to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari that no new canals would proceed without consensus, protests on the ground have intensified, highlighting deeprooted distrust and regional tensions over water distribution.
transactions across the country. Speaking at a ceremony recognizing individuals for their outstanding contributions to the success of the Prime Minister’s Ramazan Relief Package, the PM emphasized how modern payment methods had significantly improved the speed and transparency of fund transfers, ensuring beneficiaries’ dignity was upheld throughout the process. “Through digital wallets, 79% of funds in the relief package were transferred seam-
lessly and transparently,” the Prime Minister stated, acknowledging that previous systems had faced challenges that have now been addressed by the new digital framework. Looking ahead, the Prime Minister revealed plans to ensure that by next year, all disbursements would be made digitally, achieving 100% utilization of funds via modern payment systems. He also highlighted that the initiative would evolve further with the integration of
provincial governments into the nationwide digital payment network. Amir Ahmed Ali, Secretary of the Benazir Income Support Programme, provided a detailed briefing on the Ramazan Relief Package and the successful use of digital wallets. During the ceremony, the PM awarded honorary shields to key public and private sector officials who played a critical role in implementing the program.
Shehbaz announces nationwide expansion of digital wallets for seamless payments PROFIT
MONITORING DESK
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Monday that the government will extend the use of digital wallets nationwide, creating a unified national framework to streamline digital payments and integrate provincial systems. This move aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of financial
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US urges Pakistan, India to work towards ‘responsible solution’ WASHINGTON
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
The United States said on Monday it was in contact with both Pakistan and India and urged both sides to work towards a “responsible solution” as tensions escalated following a attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). A US State Department spokesperson told Reuters that Washington is “monitoring developments closely” and has engaged with both governments “at multiple levels.” The United States reiterated its support for India following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where more than two dozen people were killed. Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for a neutral investigation. “This is an evolving situation,” the State Department spokesperson said, adding Washington “stands with India and strongly condemns the terrorist attack.” Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst based in Washington, said India is now a much closer US partner than Pakistan. He warned that Islamabad may fear limited US restraint if India retaliates militarily. Hussain Haqqani, a former Pakistan ambassador to Washington, noted there appears to be little appetite in the US to mediate tensions this time. “Both countries work themselves into a frenzy every few years. This time there is no US interest in calming things down,” Haqqani said. On April 23, India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a critical water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank that has withstood multiple wars and decades of hostility between the two nations. In response, Pakistan took immediate retaliatory measures.