Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon urged the federal government to take notice of Indus River Systems Authority’s (Irsa) “unjust reduction of Sindh’s share” and ensure that Sindh received its rightful share of water.
A 22 per cent water shortage has been persisting in Sindh for the last ten days as Irsa continues its efforts to “equalise shortages between Punjab and Sindh”.
“We are adjusting excessive use [of water] by Sindh and trying to equalise shortages between the two provinces by June 10. Secondly, water position is not satisfactory in rivers. Now with the increase in temperature, it is hoped that we will be able to increase water releases shortly afterwards,” Irsa Director Operations Khalid Idrees Rana earlier.
But Sindh Senior Minister Memon posted on X that Irsa’s “continued disregard for Sindh’s legitimate concerns and the unjust reduction of Sindh’s share under the guise of ‘shortage equalisation’ is unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.
No province can be given preference at the expense of another”.
He urged the Centre to take immediate notice of this situation and ensure “Sindh receives its rightful share of water in accordance with the law”.
“The PPP and Sindh Government will continue to defend Sindh’s water rights at every constitutional, legal and democratic forum,” he added.
The minister said Sindh “is facing a severe water shortage, with shortages reaching 22pc across the province, 42pc at Guddu Barrage and 29pc at Kotri Barrage”.
