2 weeks Ago
It should now be evident that the government’s plan to move ahead with the contentious canal project—linked to a corporate farming initiative in southern Punjab—is mired in deep controversy. What began as a unilateral policy push has quickly united a diverse array of opposition forces. Political, legal, and social actors have all come together in resistance, making it clear that the government can no longer hope for a smooth execution of this project.
The dream must be set aside, and the only viable path forward is negotiation—something that should have been the starting point, not an afterthought. In this context, the government’s recent offer to initiate talks with protesting lawyers in Sindh is a welcome, albeit delayed, step. Negotiation is now the only practical route.
Whether this project is ultimately completed or scrapped altogether, depending on public sentiment, the government must now do what it failed to do at the outset: undertake a genuine and inclusive stakeholder onboarding process. This means engaging not just with affected communities, but with political representatives from Sindh—including the Pakistan People’s Party and other regional actors. A transparent and open consultation must take place, in which all aspects of the project—its costs, benefits, impacts, and risks—are laid bare.
Only through broad consensus and buy-in from all concerned parties can this initiative be considered legitimate. Balochistan CM pledges transparency in budget, PSDP The development of land and farmland is undeniably important, but Pakistan’s water resources remain one of its most hotly contested issues. No project of this scale should move forward without comprehensive consultation.
Sidestepping due process not only erodes public trust but risks further polarisation over a resource that is already under immense stress. Tags: justifying canals.
