Lawyers at KBA convention reject 26th and Peca amendments, canal projects

An ‘All Pakistan Lawyers Convention’, held at the Karachi Bar Association on Saturday, rejected unconstitutional and anti-federal policies that pose a grave threat to the constitutional structure, democratic values, natural resources and socio-economic fabric of Sindh and federation of Pakistan.

Adopting a resolution, the convention rejected the Cholistan canal project, Great Thal canal phase-II and six proposed canal projects, terming them a clear violation of the constitution, particularly of articles 153 and 154, of the 1991 water accord.

It said these projects were initiated without the consent of Sindh and represented a colonial style plundering of Sindh’s water resources. It called for their immediate termination.

The lawyers also condemned corporate farming and green Pakistan initiative schemes, including the leasing of thousands of acres of state to private and corporate entities, and said these actions undermined the rights of indigenous farmers and violated federal principles.

The convention demanded immediate cancellation of these leases and insisted that land be redistributed to landless peasants under meaningful agrarian reforms.

The resolution also rejected the 26th constitutional amendment as termed it a direct attack on judicial independence and parliamentary supremacy and federalism. The convention resolved that 26th amendment was enacted without meaningful consultation of the judiciary and the legal fraternity, and it aimed to centralize power and suppress dissent.

The convention demanded immediate repeal of the 26th constitutional amendment in the interest of democracy and institutional independence. It also rejected draconian amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2025, which aim to stifle freedom of expression, control independence media and suppress public dissent. It demanded its immediate withdrawal. The convention also demanded a new water-sharing agreement rooted in the 1945 water treaty and international norms, ensuring no dam or canal is constructed in the Indus Basin without Sindh’s explicit consent.

The lawyers called for guaranteeing a minimum downstream flow of 10 MAF at Kotri to save the Indus Delta. They also condemned the Sindh government for its complicity in canal projects and corporate farming schemes alongside the federal government and demanded that the Sindh government must withdraw its support from the federal government in the parliament.

The convention resolved to launch a nationwide legal, constitutional and public movement led by the Karachi Bar Association and supported by the legal bodies across Pakistan to defend federalism, protect judicial independence, resist corporate capture of resources and restore constitutional supremacy.

Addressing the convention earlier, former Supreme Court Bar Association president Hamid Khan condemned the attack on KBA President Amir Warraich and said the entire legal fraternity stood with him.

He said all unconstitutional decisions have been taken by people who were not representing the will of the people.

Senator Shahadat Awan said there will be no government if Sindh does not get its due share. He said that it is our principle stand that there should be no canals on the Indus River.

Former Sindh High Court Bar Association president Salahuddin Ahmed said all anti-people decisions will fail. He said the Pakistan People Party should raise voice against the six canal projects and leave the government if the work on the projects is not stopped.

Lahore District Bar Association President Mubashir Chaudhry said the controversial project was an attempt to deprive the farmers of Sindh o water and said the lawyers of Punjab are with Sindh on this issue. KBA President Amir Warraich and other lawyers representatives also spoke.