Article is about the canal crisis & political unrest and water wars in pakistan’s province sindh, particularly about the construction of Greater Cholistan Canal.
The construction of new canals off the River Indus is causing serious political tension in Pakistan, especially in the Sindh province. At the heart of the debate is the Greater Cholistan Canal, one of six planned canals meant to regulate and enhance water usage. While the government and military-backed initiatives argue these canals will support agricultural expansion, the people of Sindh view them as a threat to their already scarce water resources and their environmental stability.
The situation in Sindh is increasingly volatile. This is no longer just a technical or developmental issue—it has evolved into a deeply political and humanitarian concern, closely tied to provincial sensitivities. People in Sindh fear that their already limited share of Indus water will be diverted to benefit other regions, particularly Punjab, further worsening the water crisis in their drought-prone areas. For decades, Sindh has consistently raised concerns that Punjab, due to its upstream location, draws more than its fair share of water, leaving downstream communities vulnerable.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which dominates Sindh politics, is under immense pressure to protect the province’s rights. Despite being a federal coalition partner, the PPP has voiced strong concerns about the canal plans. Its political ally, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), seen as Punjab-centric and currently leading the federal government under Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, is viewed in Sindh as prioritizing Punjab’s interests with backing from the establishment.
The Greater Cholistan Canal, a central feature of the Green Pakistan Initiative (a military-backed effort), is meant to irrigate desert land leased for agriculture. Supporters of the project believe it will improve food security. However, environmental experts and critics argue that the desert soil lacks the necessary fertility and water retention for sustainable farming. To many, the project appears more about land control than actual development.
People in Sindh see such projects as unjust when their own lands, especially in districts like Thatta and Badin, are suffering from water scarcity. These areas depend on the Indus Delta, where the river meets the sea. The delta, once vibrant, is now in decline due to reduced freshwater flow. It serves as a natural buffer that prevents saltwater from the Arabian Sea from invading fertile land. This ecological system also supports fisheries and protects the coastline from erosion.
Reduced flow into the delta has already turned thousands of acres of once-fertile land barren. Without adequate water reaching the sea, the delicate balance of the ecosystem is at risk. Experts recommend that at least one million acre-feet (MAF) of water must flow annually to the sea to preserve the delta. Environmentalists warn that disrupting this could cause irreversible damage. On the other hand, Punjab’s water planners argue that this is “wasted water” that should be stored during floods for future use.
This difference in philosophy—between ecological preservation and infrastructure-led water control—lies at the core of the conflict. Punjab maintains that more water reaches the sea than is necessary. Sindh, meanwhile, insists that any further reduction will cause an environmental catastrophe.
The longstanding mistrust between the provinces stems in part from the Indus Waters Accord of 1991, which allocated water shares among provinces. Sindh has often claimed that the accord is violated in practice, with Punjab using more water than its agreed share. Efforts to monitor flows through telemetry systems have either been incomplete or poorly managed.
As protests increase, political parties, civil society, and legal groups across Sindh are raising their voices against the canal plans. Rallies, press conferences, and legal seminars are highlighting what many call the systematic denial of Sindh’s rights. The legal community is particularly vocal, calling for court intervention to stop the canal construction until fairness and environmental safety are ensured.
The PPP finds itself in a tough spot. It supports the federal government on major issues but risks losing support at home if it is perceived as compromising on this deeply emotional matter. Public sentiment in Sindh is strongly against any diversion of Indus water without their consent. Many see the move as an attempt to control natural resources under a national narrative while local communities pay the price.
Given the sensitivity of the issue, a balanced and well-considered approach is crucial. First, the government must conduct independent and transparent environmental impact assessments for all planned canal projects. These assessments must consider the effects on both the Cholistan region and the lower riparian areas of Sindh.
Second, work on the Greater Cholistan Canal should be paused until national consensus is achieved. Its agricultural viability must be reassessed with scientific backing, not political pressure.
Third, the 1991 Water Accord must be implemented strictly and fairly. Real-time monitoring systems should be introduced and overseen by a neutral federal body, ensuring all provinces get their fair share.
Fourth, the minimum flow of 1 million MAF into the Indus Delta should be made mandatory to preserve its fragile ecology and support coastal livelihoods.
Finally, water governance must become more inclusive. All major decisions on water infrastructure should go through the Council of Common Interests (CCI), where each province has equal say. Open dialogue, transparency, and respect for each province’s rights are essential.
Water is more than a resource in Pakistan—it is tied to survival, identity, and provincial relations. Mishandling such a critical issue can weaken national unity. For long-term peace and development, Pakistan must adopt a transparent, scientific, and cooperative approach, treating water as a shared lifeline rather than a tool of power.