Islamabad: The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has given the green light for the construction of the Cholistan Canal and Systems-Phase I, as reported on October 18.
As per details, the proposed project, valued at PKR 211.340 billion, has now been recommended to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for further consideration. During the recent CDWP meeting chaired by Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, representatives from Sindh raised concerns about the canal’s construction, urging the forum to postpone approval until a decision is reached by the Council of Common Interests (CCI). Sindh’s position is that any construction should be contingent on an increase in water availability, fearing that the canal’s implementation will diminish their water share.
The Executive Committee had previously conditionally approved the development of a national irrigation network to enhance agricultural potential across the country. The Green Pakistan Initiative, a flagship project launched in 2023, aims to cultivate 400,000 acres of desert land in Greater Cholistan. As part of this initiative, the construction of the Cholistan Flood Feeder Canal is essential for boosting agricultural output in the region.
