Agri chamber rejects canal projects

The Sindh Chamber of Agriculture has demanded that the federal government immediately cancel and issue a notification rejecting all six canal projects, including the Cholistan Canal and the Green Pakistan Initiative, which threaten the unity of the federation. It has also urged the Sindh government to pass a resolution in the Sindh Assembly against these canals and stand with the voice of the people of Sindh.

Sindh Chamber of Agriculture President Syed Zainul Abideen Shah stated, in a press release f on Wednesday from the chamber’s headquarters in Hyderabad, that the Indus River is vital to Sindh’s history, civilisation, and livelihood. The province’s five crore people view the Cholistan Canal and other canal projects as a serious threat to their existence, given the country’s insufficient water reservoirs. Farmers, peasants, and people from all walks of life are protesting daily against these projects.

Sindh symbolises a strong and united federation, he said, adding that any threat to its existence puts national unity at risk. He called on the federal government to uphold constitutional, legal, and democratic values, ensuring transparency and consultation with all stakeholders before making decisions on water reservoirs.

He further warned that the people of Sindh will continue their protests until the government issues a notification rejecting the canal projects. With the onset of the Kharif season, water shortages in Mangla and Tarbela dams and inadequate irrigation water have created drought-like conditions in Sindh, signalling a major crisis.