Cholistan Canal Project

Cholistan Canal Project is a controversial project under-construction on the Indus River under Pakistan’s Green Pakistan Initiative since early 2025. According to the project, six canals will be built from the Indus River to irrigate 4.8 million acres (1.94 million hectares) of barren land identified throughout the country.

History

In March 2025, the Government of Punjab, Pakistan launched the Green Pakistan Initiative in Cholistan, Punjab jointly by General Asim Munir and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif under corporate farming. The project received widespread criticism primarily by people of Sindh province and environmental experts as the project is expected to severely affect the life of people and Indus Delta. As per the project six canals will be constructed from Indus River to irrigate 4.8 million acres (1.94 million hectares) of “barren wasteland” identified across the country. Project has been protested against on varioius platforms by farmers and nationalists, civil society, lawyers, members of provincial and federal assembly and others in Sindh. Provincial Assembly of Sindh passed a resolution against the initiative on 13 March 2025. Pakistan Tahrik-e-Insaf submitted a resolution against the construction of new canals in National Assembly of Pakistan on 10 April.

Background

See also: Indus River and Indus Water Treaty

The Indus River is Pakistan’s most vital freshwater resource, supporting agriculture, domestic consumption , industries and livelihoods for millions. It is governed by both the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan and the Water Apportionment Accord (1991), which regulates water sharing among the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It flows from Tibet through the territories of India and Pakistan, eventually emptying into the Arabian Sea. Governed by the Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between India and Pakistan, and domestically by the Water Apportionment Accord (1991) between the Provinces of Pakistan, the management of the river's resources remains a highly sensitive issue.

Regional tensions

See also: 2025 Pahalgam attack and 2025 India–Pakistan standoff

Following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India on April 23, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam attack, tensions over water resources intensified in Pakistan. In Sindh province, widespread protests was erupted against the federal government's and Indian government until 29 April 2025, plan to construct six new canals on the Indus River, part of the Green Pakistan initiative. Protesters argued that the project threatened Sindh's water security and violated the 1991 Water Accord. On April 29, 2025, the Council of Common Interests decided to shelve the canal project until a consensus could be reached, leading to the cessation of most protests in the region.

Criticism and Opposition

The project has been met with strong resistance in Sindh, where civil society groups, environmentalists, political leaders, and local farmers have raised multiple concerns. Several stakeholders in Sindh allege that they were not adequately consulted prior to the launch of the project, fueling perceptions of unilateral decision-making by the federal government and Punjab authorities. Opponents contend that any major alteration to the river system must be approved through consensus among all provinces, as stipulated in the 1991 Accord. The Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI) involves building six canals—five from the Indus River—to irrigate barren lands. Critics argue it reflects Milbus (military business), as the military is heavily involved and may benefit economically.

Political developments

On 13 March 2025, the Sindh Provincial Assembly unanimously passed a resolution rejecting the canal project and urging the federal government to halt construction. Following this, members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other opposition parties submitted similar resolutions in the National Assembly, calling for a comprehensive environmental and legal review.

Various public demonstrations and rallies have been held across Sindh under the banners of regional parties and civil society coalitions, including the Sindh United Party, Jeay Sindh Mahaz, and Awami Workers Party.

Lawyers’ Sit-in at Babarloi

Main article: Babarloi Dharna

Sit in at Babarloi against Green Pakistan initiative

As part of the broader protest movement against the controversial canals project, lawyers in the town of Babarloi, Sindh, organized a peaceful sit-in demonstration to express solidarity with the people affected by potential water shortages. The protest, led by members of the local bar association, called for the immediate suspension of canal construction until an inclusive and transparent dialogue could be held between all stakeholders. The lawyers emphasized that the project posed a threat to Sindh’s legal and constitutional water rights under the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991.

Government response

The federal government and the Punjab provincial administration remained stubborn in their decision to the construction of the six new canals, despite strong opposition from the people of Sindh, until March 2025.

In April 2025, the federal Government of Pakistan temporarily suspended the construction of the Cholistan Canal project. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on April 24, following growing concerns from provincial stakeholders, particularly the Sindh government, about potential violations of water-sharing agreements. The decision come in the result with end of the protests in Sindh. The pause applies not only to the Cholistan Canal but also to other planned canal projects connected to the Indus River system. A committee was established to review the proposals and address the concerns raised, with the federal government emphasizing the need for consensus among all provinces before moving forward with any new developments.