ISLAMABAD – The 52nd meeting of the Council of Common Interests, chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, rejected the decision to build new canals.
It was decided in the meeting that no new canal project would be started without the mutual approval of the council, and the federal government would not make progress in this regard without complete understanding between all the provinces.
According to the statement, the federal government is working with the provinces to formulate a roadmap for agricultural policy and a long-term plan for water resources management. It was clarified that the water rights of the provinces are protected under the Water Agreement of 1991 and the Water Policy of 2018.
It was decided in the meeting that a committee would be formed to address the concerns of the provinces, ensure food and environmental security, and suggest solutions to water needs.
In addition, the Council demonstrated national unity and solidarity by strongly condemning India’s illegal actions.
All the chief ministers reiterated their commitment to protect the country’s defense and maritime interests in the event of any possible aggression by India. The meeting also fully supported the Senate resolution against India’s actions.
Further, reports of the CCI Secretariat for 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24 and the State of Industry, including the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, were also presented at the meeting.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer-in-Chief Amir Maqbool, and the chief ministers of the four provinces.
