KARACHI: The Sindh government has called on the federal government to call for an urgent meeting of the Council of Commonwealth (CCI) (CCI) to tackle the water crisis in the province.
In a letter sent to the center, the Sindh government has said that severe water shortages have made it almost impossible to cultivate crops in the coming sowing season. The provincial government blamed the crisis for the alleged unfair distribution of water, and claimed that Punjab had been allocated more than its correct shares under the 1991 Water Treaty.
The Sindh government also raised concerns over the Certificate issued by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) for the Cholistan Canal Project, calling it “illegal” and demanded his cancellation. The letter calls on the federal government to suspend the implementation of the project unless there is a consensus on the distribution of water.
Earlier, on March 23, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had warned that reducing the availability of water poses a serious threat to the province’s agriculture economy. In a statement released on World Water Day, it highlighted the devastating effects of the crisis on farmers and fishermen, whose livelihood depends on the Indus River.
The Chief Minister said, “This crisis has significantly affected millions of people whose jobs depend on the Indus River. The river drying waves are a warning symbol for life and agriculture.”
It attributed the deteriorating situation to the change of climate and the distribution of water disqualification, emphasizing that Sindh will not compromise on the exact part of the water. He also expressed concern over the construction of new canals on the Indus River, warned that such projects could intensify water shortages and create drought -like conditions in the province.
“When the fertile lands of Sindh are already deprived of water, how can new streams be constructed?” He questioned, demanding immediate intervention to prevent a potential famine.
The Chief Minister called for immediate steps to protect water resources for future generations, emphasizing the need for a proper and transparent water distribution system. He also highlighted the dangerous situation in Sindh Delta, which states that the river water has not reached the delta for years, which has caused millions of acres of land to sink into the sea.
Murad Ali Shah assured that his government had developed a comprehensive strategy to tackle the water crisis and demanded a collective effort to save every drop of water. He reiterated the long -standing commitment of the Pakistan Peoples Party to protect the rights of Sindh and called on the federal government to take immediate action to resolve the crisis.
