Sindh Lawyers end 12-day blockade after CCI halts Canals project

SUKKUR: The blockade across Sindh and Punjab borders has finally ended after an agreement was reached between the Sindh government and the lawyers.

The protest led by the Sindh Lawyers’ Action Committee announced the protest was over after the Council of Common Interests (CCI) voted to stop the controversial canals project on the Indus River until there was a positive agreement between all federating units.

Agreement and Committee Creation The Sindh government agreed to create a committee to reconcile lawyers’ reservations about corporate farming, which was one of the protest’s demands.

After establishing the committee and moving forward on the rest, the lawyers ended their protest, including the sit-in at Babarloi Bypass. Roads Reopened and Traffic Resumed. Now that the border blockade is over, heavy traffic has begun again, great news for all transporters and traders impacted during the blockade.

President Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance, Malik Shahzad Awan, was grateful to the Sindh Government for complying with the promise and hoped the government would compensate transporters impacted during the protest.

The CCI’s resolution to put the canals project on hold until provinces come to a consensus is a watershed moment for enabling attempts to address the issues of all federating units.

The CCI also supported the formation of a committee with a national member and representatives from all provinces to develop an agreement on the long-term consensus roadmap for agriculture policy and water management infrastructure in Pakistan.

Reactions from Stakeholders Barrister Sarfaraz Metlo, chairman Sindh High Court Bar Association and committee member, expressed welcome for CCI’s decision and appreciated the allied organizations for their backing.

The consensus between the Sindh government and the lawyers was viewed as a positive step in moving forward with resolving the issue and protecting the rights of all stakeholders.