KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has criticised the “incompetent and illegitimate” Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government for creating an acute water crisis through mismanagement and called for the permanent closure of the controversial Chashma-Jhelum (C-J) link canal.

In a statement issued from Bilawal House, he said that the sole mandate of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) with regard to water was that it could only monitor the distribution of water as per the Water Apportionment Accord.

“Irsa can’t enforce its authority in any other form. There is an acute water crisis in Sindh after Mangla Dam was filled beyond Irsa’s approved controversial formula. This overall situation has created up to a 27 per cent water shortage in Sukkur Barrage and 44 per cent shortage of water in Kotri Barrage,” he added.

He said that the sheer ineptitude of the PTI-led federal government had left the water supply from Guddu Barrage completely depleted.

He added that the last year’s heavy rains had filled all dams but the mismanagement by the federal government had caused the capacity of the dams to be severely depleted.

‘Famine-like situation developing’

Mr Bhutto-Zardari warned of a severe famine-like situation developing in Sindh as a result of the PTI’s policies that had converted lower Sindh into a desert, depriving Karachi, Thatta, Sujawal, Badin and Tharparkar of their rightful share of water.

It was on record that it was only after the PPP had been consistently raising its voice and putting immense pressure that the PTI government closed the illegally launched Taunsa Panjnad Link Canal, he added.

He said if the water crisis in the lower parts of Sindh remained unresolved, it could lead to a famine-like situation and people would protest against the unavailability of drinking water in Karachi and other districts of the province.

While addressing the prime minister, he said that the season of Khareef crops was fast approaching and that the PM needed to ensure speedy and unrestricted water supply to Sindh, otherwise it would be impossible for Sindh farmers to sow cotton and that would harm our already reeling textile industry that is currently facing a cotton crisis.

“Imran Khan should proactively avoid creating more crises, instead of acting reactively later and scapegoating others,” he said, adding: “The province is being pushed against the wall by cutting off and diverting its rightful share of water.”

Mr Bhutto-Zardari warned the federal government to pay heed to the water crisis now or it would have to deal with the quagmire of food scarcities, water riots, and other crises down the road.

“This government’s criminal incompetency has already led our country down the path of ruin, if this situation is allowed to fester and grow, the federal government would not be able to blame away their guilt for their sheer apathy to the plight and suffering of the people.”

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2021