The Cholistan Canal is a significant point of contention in Pakistan’s water resource management, highlighting the complex interaction between hydrological facts, political power, and regional needs. This canal separates Punjab and Sindh, highlighting ongoing water allocation issues that have fueled tensions between the provinces. The Cholistan Canal is more than just an infrastructure project; It reflects the conflicting interests and challenges of national integration and resource distribution in Pakistan. The results of this project hold the potential to transform the agriculture industry and enhance interprovincial relations as it navigates these critical but manageable challenges.
Agriculture is the dominant sector in Pakistan’s economy. It significantly enhances the GDP and generates valuable employment opportunities. From the total of 79.6 million hectares, only 22 million hectares are used for farming at the present time. Even though Pakistan is the eighth-largest producer of wheat worldwide and the 15th-largest producer of agricultural products, there is a huge supply-demand gap. For instance, the nation requires about 30.8 million metric tons of wheat annually. In comparison, it has only 4 million metric tons, which forces it to import, and the cost of import has risen to $10 billion annually. This situation underlines the necessity of raising agricultural production and the use of the land in the country. Cholistan Canal is part of the Green Pakistan Initiative, which aims to construct six important canals that will focus on Thal, Cholistan, Thar Desert, and other barren areas to bring change in the barren land and increase food production in Pakistan.
The Cholistan Canal project has been criticized by few for its adverse effects on the health of the Sindh ecosystem and its implications for agricultural sustainability. Critics argue that it could intensify water scarcity issues in Sindh and threaten its fragile ecosystems. For example, the average water flow at Kotri has decreased from 17.29 MAF (million acre-feet) between 1976 and 1998 to just 6.921 MAF recently. However these concerns have already been addressed. The project has a plan to implement a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and ensuring equitable water distribution that prioritizes the ecological health of Sindh while promoting agricultural development.
The Cholistan Canal project is a vital step forward, fully aligned with the Water Apportionment Accord (WAA) 1991, which ensures that Sindh receives 42% and Punjab 48% of Pakistan’s water share. Remarkably, only about 2% of the water that flows into the sea is necessary to sustain the canal, showcasing the efficiency of our water management system. Moreover, implementing initiatives that guarantee equitable access and fair distribution of water resources across all provinces fosters unity and development. After an exhaustive legal review and a decisive majority vote, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the canal’s construction, signalling strong support for this transformative project.
Concerns surrounding the Cholistan Canal project have sparked protests and highlighted how the initiative has been subject to significant propaganda. This situation mirrors past controversies, such as the protests against the Kalabagh Dam, where communities expressed outrage over perceived inequities in water distribution and environmental degradation. In both cases, the narrative of water sharing has been manipulated, with accusations of bias favoring Punjab at the expense of downstream provinces like Sindh.
The Cholistan Canal’s modern telemetry systems were introduced to address these discrepancies, yet disbelief persists regarding their effectiveness in ensuring fair water distribution. The project aims to irrigate over one million acres of desert land, drawing comparisons to Libya’s Great Man-Made River project, which was initially celebrated for its transformative potential but later criticized for its ecological impact and financial burdens. This reflects a pattern that these grand projects which are beneficial for the state interest are often marketed as problematic The Indian Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River serves as a cautionary example in the management of large-scale water development projects. Initially surrounded by propaganda, the project ultimately proved beneficial to the country upon its completion, showcasing how effective resource management can align with national interests.
The Cholistan Canal project is currently surrounded by significant controversies, leading to various challenges that, while serious, are manageable. Despite these hurdles, the project’s potential benefits such as agricultural expansion and economic growth far outweigh the concerns if all stakeholders’ voices are adequately heard and addressed. Critics have raised issues regarding the project’s approval process, citing a lack of transparency and environmental assessments. However, with careful planning and inclusive dialogue, navigating these challenges effectively and harnessing the project’s full potential for sustainable development is possible. This program has to be seen in its ability to improve national food security and encourage collaboration among provinces in handling shared water resources, learning from past mistakes in Pakistan’s complicated hydrological environment.
is a researcher and an analyst with expertise in foreign affairs, strategic insights, and policy impact. She offers in-depth analysis to drive informed decisions and meaningful discourse
