THIS is with reference to the report ‘Irsa increases flows to Sindh after crop damage’ (June 15). The province of Punjab has for years been enjoying water at the cost of Sindh and Balochistan without any hind-rance or objection. Even the establishment of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) could not bring about any meaningful change in the ground reality. The result, as could only be expected, is that the agricultural landscape of Sindh and Balochistan today stands all but shattered.

Part of the blame must go to the feudal class of the two provinces because its members receive their water share as per thei requirements one way or the other. In return, they keep their silence over the matter across critical forums, like national and provincial assemblies as well as the senate. The brunt is borne by small and medium-scale farmers in Sindh and Balochistan. The people of the two provinces have serious reservations about this discrimination, but they are voiceless. Those supposed to give voice to the voiceless have their own priorities.

Mansoor ul Haque Solangi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2026