KARACHI: The Sindh government has lodged a strong protest with the federal authorities against the “unfair treatment being meted out to Sindh by the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) by further reducing its water share amid already persisting shortage of 22pc in the province.

This was stated by Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon here on Sunday.

He termed Irsa’s recent conduct “contrary to the spirit and principles of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and amounts to a blatant injustice to the people of Sindh”.

Mr Memon said that Sindh has been facing a severe water shortage of 22pc for several days, while shortages of 42pc and 29pc have been recorded at Guddu Barrage and Kotri Barrage, respectively.

Sharjeel terms further cut in water share violation of 1991 Accord, blatant injustice to people of Sindh

The unjust reduction in Sindh’s water share by Irsa is not only adversely affecting the province’s agricultural sector, but also posing serious risks to Karachi, the country’s economic hub, as the city’s primary water supply depends on the Indus River.

The minister said that Karachi is already facing a significantly wide gap between demand and supply of water.

He added that Irsa, while ignoring Sindh’s legitimate objections, is further reducing the province’s share under the pretext of so-called “shortage equalisation”, which is entirely unacceptable.

He noted that Sindh has repeatedly clarified that the additional water entering the river system due to extraordinary rainfall cannot be deducted from the province’s allocated share.

Despite this, he deplored, Irsa continues to make decisions that reinforce the perception of discriminatory treatment towards 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 pointed out 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 link canals when Sindh’s barrages and canal system themselves are suffering severe shortages.

Sharjeel Memon further stated that the water crisis is not merely an agricultural issue, but it has also become a major threat to Sindh’s urban life. The supply of drinking water to Karachi and other cities of Sindh is directly linked to the Indus River system, and any drop 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 drinking water availability in Karachi, its industrial operations and its overall economic activity. “This situation is unacceptable,” he remarked.

Mr Memon called upon the federal government to take immediate notice of Irsa’s decisions and implement practical measures to ensure that Sindh receives its full and rightful share of water in accordance with the 1991 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 the right at every constitutional, legal and democratic forum.

He further stated that any reduction in or unfair distribution of Sindh’s water share is against the interests of the entire province. Therefore, he stressed, Irsa must review its decisions and ensure provision of a fair and just allocation of water to Sindh.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026