KARACHI: The Sindh Government has strongly protested against the persistent water shortage in the province and the alleged unfair treatment to Sindh by IRSA.
Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon claimed that IRSA’s recent conduct is contrary to the spirit and principles of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and amounts to a blatant injustice to the people of Sindh.
He said that Sindh has been facing a severe water shortage of 22 percent for several days, while shortages of 42 percent and 29 percent have been recorded at Guddu Barrage and Kotri Barrage, respectively.
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He said this unjust reduction in Sindh’s water share is not only adversely affecting the agricultural sector but also posing serious risks to Karachi, the country’s economic hub, as the megacity’s primary water supply depends on the Indus River. He reminded that Karachi is already facing a significant gap between water demand and supply.
He added that IRSA, while ignoring Sindh’s legitimate objections, is further reducing the province’s share under the pretext of a so-called “shortage equalization,” which he said is entirely unacceptable.
He noted that Sindh has repeatedly clarified that additional water entering the river system due to extraordinary rainfall cannot be deducted from the province’s allocated share. “Despite this, IRSA continues to make decisions that reinforce the perception of discriminatory treatment toward Sindh.”
He stressed that Sindh’s rights under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord must be fully protected and that no province should be given preference over another’s allocated share. He said that while Sindh’s agricultural regions are facing an acute water shortage, substantial quantities of water are being diverted through the Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canals. He questioned why priority is being given to the link canals when Sindh’s barrages and canal system are suffering from severe shortages.
Memon said that the water crisis is not merely an agricultural issue but also a major threat to urban life. The supply of drinking water to Karachi and other cities of Sindh is directly linked to the Indus River system, and any reduction in water levels at Kotri Barrage and its associated canals directly affects Karachi’s water supply network.
He warned that the current situation could further disrupt water supply to citizens and negatively impact Karachi’s drinking water availability, industrial operations, and overall economic activity which is unacceptable.
He called upon the federal government to take immediate notice of IRSA’s decisions and implement practical measures to ensure Sindh receives its full and rightful share of water in accordance with the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord. He reaffirmed that the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Sindh Government would not compromise on the water rights of the people of Sindh and would continue to defend Sindh’s right to water at every constitutional, legal, and democratic forum. He said that any reduction in or unfair distribution of Sindh’s water share is against the interests of the entire province. “Therefore, the people of Sindh demand that IRSA review its decisions and ensure a fair and just allocation of water.”
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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