THE national media needs to prominently cover the issue of water shortage in Sindh and the ongoing plan to construct six disputed canals on the Indus River. This is a national issue and deserves national attention.

The problem had started when the federal government during the era of Ayub Khan unilaterally decided to ‘sell’ three major rivers to India. It adversely affected the natural resources of three provinces of Pakistan, damaging their environment, agriculture and even livestock.

The interprovincial water accord of 1991 was also enforced by the federal govern-ment with coercive force, undermining Sindh’s representation during the process. The problem lies within the policymaking apparatus of the country. As far as the masses are concerned, the people of Punjab would themselves oppose the canals if they know the project’s impact on those inhabiting the tail-end region.

Mansoor ul Haque Solangi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2025