ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Water Resources stated on Wednesday that Paragraph 14 of the Indus Water Accord 1991 contradicts the National Water Policy, 2018 which accords top priority to the availability of drinking water for domestic use.
This stance was taken by Secretary Water Resources Syed Ali Murtaza during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Ahmad Ateeq Anwar.
Chairman of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Amjad Saeed briefed the committee on Paragraph 14 of the Indus Water Accord 1991, which comprises five clauses:
(i) system-wise allocations to be worked out separately on a 10-daily basis and attached to the agreement as an integral part; (ii) actual average system uses for the period 1977–82 to serve as guidelines for future regulation patterns, with 10-daily uses adjusted pro-rata to seasonal allocations and forming the basis for sharing shortages and surpluses across Pakistan; (iii) existing reservoirs to be operated with priority for provincial irrigation uses; (iv) provinces to have the freedom to modify system-wise and period-wise usage within their allocations; and (v) all efforts to be made to avoid wastage, with any surplus usable by another province without establishing a permanent right.
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During discussion on Paragraph 14, the Secretary Water Resources maintained that the provision conflicts with the National Water Policy, which prioritises drinking water for the population.
His remarks drew the attention of the committee chairman, who observed that over the last few meetings, the Secretary had been introducing new perspectives on issues. The Secretary; however, clarified that it was his responsibility to present matters in their proper context.
The committee sought statistics on water releases downstream of Kotri following the construction of Tarbela Dam, aimed at preventing sea intrusion that has destroyed millions of acres of land in Sindh.
Briefing the committee on the K-IV project, officials stated that Phase-I—designed to supply 260 million gallons per day of water to Karachi—is at an advanced stage and scheduled for completion by December 2026.
An amount of Rs126 billion was originally allocated for the project. For FY 2025–26, the federal government initially allocated Rs3.202 billion, which was later enhanced to Rs8.209 billion. Secretary Water Resources informed the committee that funds from the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project had been diverted to K-IV, considering its critical importance.
As per the approved modified and revised PC-I of the K-IV project, the government of Sindh is required to release Rs8.503 billion, which remains outstanding and has yet to be provided to WAPDA.
Additional Secretary Ministry of Water Resources Mehar Ali Shah informed the committee that the project cost has increased to Rs171 billion from the original estimate of Rs126 billion.
He said the federal government would provide Rs30 billion during the current fiscal year 2025–26, with another Rs30 billion to be released in the first half of the next fiscal year.
However, he noted that water supply to Karachi from K-IV would not be possible until the city’s internal distribution infrastructure is completed.
MQM MNA Syed Waseem Hussain protested delays in the project, stating that Karachi contributes more revenue than the rest of the country combined, yet faces discriminatory treatment.
He argued that if all matters are to be dealt with strictly under the 18th Amendment, the federal government should stop collecting revenue from Karachi.
Shazia Marri and other committee members stressed that the issue should not be politicised, as water is essential for life and affects millions of people.
The committee decided to summon officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation for a detailed briefing on plans to supply water to Karachi through the K-IV project.
The Committee also directed the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SPARCO) to share all available satellite imagery of the Delta region from 1976 onwards, in order to assess the extent of land loss caused by sea erosion.
Furthermore, The Committee recalled its recommendation from the previous meeting, whereby the Irrigation Departments of all provinces were directed to submit a clear and comprehensive record of land under their administrative control for the past ten years, indicating land leased to farmers, land utilised for housing societies, and land under illegal occupation.
In this regard, the Secretaries of the Irrigation Departments of all provinces assured the Committee that the requisite record and report would be submitted to the Committee within a period of fifteen days.
MNA’s namely, Muhammad Idrees, Riaz Ul Haq, Mian Khan Bugti (on zoom), Shamaila Rana, Shazia Marri, Saba Talpur and Syed Waseem Hussain besides the officials of the Ministry of Water Resources attended the meeting.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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