On March 13, 2025, the Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution opposing the construction of six new canals on the Indus River, including the Cholistan Canal. The assembly deemed these projects illegal and a direct violation of the 1991 Water Accord, which governs water distribution among Pakistan’s provinces.
The resolution called on the federal government and the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) to halt any plans or activities related to these canals until comprehensive discussions are held with all provincial governments, particularly Sindh, to ensure their water rights are protected. It emphasized that the construction of new canals would exacerbate water scarcity in Sindh, negatively impacting agriculture, the economy, and the environment.
Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed Sindh’s historical rights over the Indus River, expressing serious concerns about diverting its waters to other regions without consent. He questioned the rationale behind diverting water from Punjab’s fertile lands to Cholistan, arguing that such actions would have devastating consequences for both provinces.
The resolution urged the federal government and IRSA to honor the terms of the 1991 accord and ensure that provinces, especially Sindh, receive their rightful share of water in accordance with principles of fairness, equity, and justice. It also called for an immediate halt to any plans or activities related to the construction of the Cholistan Canal and other canals on the Indus River System until all provinces are consulted.
