Thu Mar 27 09:54:23 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan’s Ambitious Canal Project Sparks Water Dispute

**Islamabad, Pakistan** – Pakistan’s $3.3 billion Green Pakistan Initiative (GPI), aimed at boosting food security, is facing strong opposition from the southern province of Sindh. The project, spearheaded by the military and the government, involves constructing six new canals to irrigate millions of acres of barren land. While lauded by supporters as a game-changer for agriculture, critics warn it will exacerbate existing water shortages in Sindh, already a water-stressed region facing declining water levels due to climate change and over-exploitation.

The largest canal, the 176km Cholistan Canal, planned for Punjab province, is at the heart of the controversy. While the government claims it will utilize excess floodwater from the Sutlej River (controlled by India), environmental experts question the reliability of this source, citing declining water flows. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA), responsible for equitable water distribution, has approved the project despite a dissenting note from Sindh’s representative, warning of potential water diversion from the Indus River, leaving Sindh with insufficient water for agriculture and drinking.

Sindh, heavily reliant on the Indus River, has witnessed numerous protests against the GPI. The provincial government, led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), has passed a resolution demanding a halt to the project, fearing desertification of its fertile lands. The PPP’s Sherry Rehman warned of severe consequences for Sindh’s agricultural sector.

The GPI, while aiming to modernize farming practices through technology and investment, lacks transparency regarding water sourcing, raising concerns about potential inequitable distribution among provinces. Experts emphasize the need for a transparent and equitable approach to improving agriculture, ensuring that existing water resources are managed sustainably and fairly. The ongoing dispute highlights the complex interplay between water security, agricultural development, and political tensions in Pakistan.

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