Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urgently convened a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting today in Islamabad, following a request from the Sindh government amid ongoing protests across the province.
Originally scheduled for May 2, the meeting was brought forward after Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon formally appealed for an earlier session. Memon confirmed that the key issue of the Cholistan canal projects will be discussed, and a major decision is expected today.
Protests Paralyse Trade and Transport in Sindh
Speaking on Geo News’ programme “Geo Pakistan,” Memon said that the protests across Sindh have disrupted trade and traffic, severely impacting businesses and farmers.
“The transport of goods had stopped, harming both businesses and farmers as goods could not reach other provinces,” Memon explained.
Despite multiple organisations refusing to end their sit-ins without a clear decision from the CCI, Memon expressed gratitude to the federal government for heeding Sindh’s call and advancing the meeting date.
He added that the government believes in dialogue and expressed hope that protests would conclude once today’s meeting provides a resolution.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, alongside other senior officials, will represent the province during the session.
Cholistan Canals Spark Fierce Opposition
The controversy centers on a federal plan to construct six canals from the Indus River to irrigate the Cholistan desert. The estimated cost of the project stands at Rs211.4 billion, aiming to convert 400,000 acres of barren land into cultivable fields.
However, the plan has faced stiff resistance from the PPP-led Sindh government, Sindh nationalist parties, civil society organisations, and almost all major political and religious groups.
Opponents argue that the project will rob Sindh of its water share, further aggravating the province’s existing water scarcity. They insist that no new construction should proceed without broad consensus.
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PPP Warns of Political Fallout
Last week, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah warned that the PPP could withdraw support from the federal government if Sindh’s concerns were not addressed. Following intense pressure, PM Shehbaz assured Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari that no canal would be built without CCI approval.
Nevertheless, protests have continued unabated. The sit-in at Khairpur Baberlo bypass entered its 11th day today, keeping traffic between Sindh and Punjab at a standstill. Similarly, protests at Mangrio Pump near Daharki have now stretched into their 9th consecutive day.
The blockade has left hundreds of trucks and containers stranded, cutting off the supply of essential goods, petrol, and food items to large parts of Sindh and Punjab. Drivers report that vehicle tires are deteriorating due to prolonged idleness, worsening the logistical nightmare.
As the nation’s eyes turn to Islamabad today, all sides hope the CCI meeting will bring a decisive breakthrough to end the crippling protests and restore normalcy.
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