- The Punjab government has recently initiated plans to construct a series of new canals aimed at irrigating the arid Cholistan region using water from the Indus River. While the project is framed as a development initiative totrans form desert lands into fertile agricultural areas, it has sparked significant controversy, particularly from the Sindh province, which fears adverse impacts on its water share and downstream ecosystems. The project’s approval by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) in February2025 has further intensified the debate over water distribution and the potential violation of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.The Cholistan Canal System is a massive irrigation project designed to utilize surplus floodwater from the Indus River during the Kharif season. The key components of the project include the Cholistan Canal, a 176-kilometer-long canal intended to irrigate approximately 1.2 million acres of the Cholistan desert, and the Marot Canal, a 120-kilometer-long canal aimed at further expanding irrigation infrastructure in the region. Additionally, four smaller canals—Fateh Canal, Murad Canal, Hakra Canal,and Haran Canal—are planned to distribute water within the Cholistan region. These canals are designed to operate primarily during the Kharifseason, utilizing surplus floodwater from Punjab. However, critics argue that the project could lead to over-extraction of water from the Indus River, reducing the flow available to downstream provinces, particularly Sindh.The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord was established to ensure thee quit able distribution of the Indus River’s waters among Pakistan’s four provinces: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan.Under the accord, Punjab receives the largest share of water due to it sex tensive agricultural needs, followed by Sindh, KP, and Balochistan.However, the construction of new canals in Punjab without comprehensive consultations with Sindh has raised fears of violating t he principles of the accord. Sindh, which is already facing severe water shortages, fears thatthe Cholistan Canal System will further reduce its share of the Indus R iver’swaters. According to a 2023 report by the International Water ManagementInstitute (IWMI), Sindh is experiencing a 40% water shortage, with farmers receiving far less than their allocated share under the 1991 Accord. Theprovince’s agriculture, which contributes significantly to Pakistan’s food security, is under immense stress due to inadequate water supply.Moreover, the reduced flow of freshwater to the Indus Delta is causing ecological damage, including increased soil salinity, loss of bio diversity,and the degradation of mangrove forests. Environmentalists warn that the construction of new canals in Punjab will exacerbate these issues, further
endangering the livelihoods of coastal communities and the region’s fragile
ecosystem. The Indus Delta, once a thriving ecosystem, is now facing
severe degradation, with mangrove forests shrinking and fish populations
declining. The delta’s ecological health is crucial for the livelihoods of
millions of people who depend on its res our ces.
Despite Sindh’s objections, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA)
approved the water supply for the Cholistan Canal project in February 2025.
This decision has been met with strong opposition from political leaders,
farmers’ unions, and civil society organizations in Sindh. The ongoing
protests have gained momentum, with farmers, activists, and civil society
organizations staging sit-ins and rallies throughout the province with
additional support f r o m environmental groups s uch as the World W ide
Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan, which has called for a balanced approach
to water management that considers both developmental needs and
ecological sustainability. The current water scarcity in Sindh is alarming.
According to a 2023 report by the International Water Management
Institute (IWMI), Sindh is facing a 40% water shortage, with farmers
receiving far less than their allocated share. The report highlights that the
province’s agriculture, which contributes significantly to Pakistan’s food
security, is under severe stress due to inadequate water s upply. Similarly, a
study by t he United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned
that reduced freshwater flow to the Indus Delta is causing increased s o il
salinity and loss of biodiversity, threatening the livelihoods of coastal
communities.
To tackle t hese challenges, it is important that the federal government
ensures strict compliance with the 1991 Water Accord and engages in
inclusive discussions with all provincial authorities. P rioritizing projects
that benefit all stakeholders equitably and conducting transparent
environmental impact assessments are crucial steps to prevent
exacerbating water scarcity and environmental degradation. The Indus
River is not merely a geographical feature but the lifeline of Pakistan’s
agrarian economy and cultural heritage. Protecting its waters through just
and lawful means is vital for preserving the livelihoods, culture, and f uture
of all provinces, particularly Sindh. The construction of new canals in
Punjab must not come at the cost of violating inter-provincial agreements
or jeopardizing the well-being of downstream communities.
Ali Gul Leghari- Johi
Teacher and Writer
Member-PFUC pakistan.
@AliGulLeghari1 construction of new canals in Punjab will exacerbate these issues, furtherendangering the livelihoods of coastal communities and the region’s fragileecosystem. The Indus Delta, once a thriving ecosystem, is now facingsevere degradation, with mangrove forests shrinking and fish populationsdeclining. The delta’s ecological health is crucial for the livelihoods ofmillions of people who depend on its res our ces.Despite Sindh’s objections, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA)approved the water supply for the Cholistan Canal project in February 2025.This decision has been met with strong opposition from political leaders,farmers’ unions, and civil society organizations in Sindh. The ongoingprotests have gained momentum, with farmers, activists, and civil societyorganizations staging sit-ins and rallies throughout the province withadditional support f r o m environmental groups s uch as the World W ideFund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan, which has called for a balanced approachto water management that considers both developmental needs andecological sustainability. The current water scarcity in Sindh is alarming.According to a 2023 report by the International Water ManagementInstitute (IWMI), Sindh is facing a 40% water shortage, with farmersreceiving far less than their allocated share. The report highlights that theprovince’s agriculture, which contributes significantly to Pakistan’s foodsecurity, is under severe stress due to inadequate water s upply. Similarly, astudy by t he United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warnedthat reduced freshwater flow to the Indus Delta is causing increased s o ilsalinity and loss of biodiversity, threatening the livelihoods of coastalcommunities.To tackle t hese challenges, it is important that the federal governmentensures strict compliance with the 1991 Water Accord and engages ininclusive discussions with all provincial authorities. P rioritizing projectsthat benefit all stakeholders equitably and conducting transparentenvironmental impact assessments are crucial steps to preventexacerbating water scarcity and environmental degradation. The IndusRiver is not merely a geographical feature but the lifeline of Pakistan’sagrarian economy and cultural heritage. Protecting its waters through justand lawful means is vital for preserving the livelihoods, culture, and f utureof all provinces, particularly Sindh. The construction of new canals inPunjab must not come at the cost of violating inter-provincial agreementsor jeopardizing the well-being of downstream communities.Ali Gul Leghari- JohiTeacher and WriterMember-PFUC pakistan.@AliGulLeghari1
“Canal Controversy”
