KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that under the 1991 Water Accord provinces have to share water, surpluses and shortages as per an agreed upon formula but during the on-going Kharif season-2021 Sindh was given 35 per cent shortage in the first 10-daily (May 1 to 10) and 37.7 per cent shortage in the second 10-daily (May 11 to 20) while Punjab was given 17.3 per cent shortage in the first 10-daily and 16 per cent shortages in the second 10-daily.
“As a matter of fact, the water shortages should have been shared equally, but just to give favour to Punjab, they have been given more water,” he added.
Mr Shah was speaking at a press conference on two major issues — water shortages in Sindh and coronavirus, at CM House here on Sunday. The provincial ministers and officials concerned were present at the press talk.
Mr Shah said in the 1991 accord water distribution among provinces was agreed under a formula. He added that for every 10 days there was an allocation of water for each of the provinces.
“In case of shortages or surplus water is to be shared as per the agreed upon formula,” he said.
Mr Shah said that under the accord the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) was created to implement the water accord in true letter and spirit but “it seems it has failed to do its job judiciously”.
The chief minister sharing the data of first 10-daily (May 1 to 10) of Kharif season 2021, said that the share of Punjab was 93.7 MAF against which it was given 77.5 MAF which showed a shortage of 17.3 per cent.
Similarly, the share of Sindh was 51.1 MAF against which it was given 33.3 MAF that showed a 35 per cent shortage, he added.
He said that Balochistan was given 20 per cent more water.
Talking about second 10-daily (May 11 to 20) distribution of water, Mr Shah said Punjab had a share of 100.8 MAF against which it was given 84.6 MAF which showed a 16 per cent shortage while Sindh was given 38.4 MAF against a share of 61.7 MAF that showed a 37.7 per cent shortage.
The chief minister said that under the accord, the water shortages would have been shared by the provinces as per agreed formula, but Punjab was given more water and Sindh was turned barren. “This is an injustice with the people of Sindh and I would be raising my voice against it,” he said and added he would also write a letter to the prime minister on the issue.
Relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions opposed
The chief minister said that last year Eidul Fitr was celebrated on May 24, 2020 and on that day, 846 cases were reported and within 15 days after Eid the number of cases increased to 3,036 on June 11, 2020 that constituted 30 per cent detection rate.
The CM said this year Eidul Fitr was on May 13 and on that day, 1,232 cases were reported and within eight days (May 22) the number of cases increased to 2,135. “Our hospitals, particularly the Infection Disease Institute and Aga Khan have no beds for Covid-19 patients,” he added.
Murad Ali Shah said in such a situation when cases were on the rise and death rate was also showing an upward trend, relaxation in restrictions could not be considered.
“We may impose more and strict restrictions, if people dare to defy the SOPs,” he warned.
Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2021