Sindh accuses IRSA of violating water agreement amid growing shortages

The Sindh government on Sunday protested the ongoing water shortage and accused the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) of unfairly reducing the province’s water share, asking the federal government to intervene immediately.

In a statement, Chief Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said Sindh had been facing 22 per cent water shortage for several days, with 42 per cent shortage in Guddu Barrage and 29 per cent in Kotri Barrage.

“IRSA’s recent conduct is a violation of the 1991 Water Agreement and an open injustice to the people of Sindh,” Memon said.

He said the reduction in Sindh’s water quota was creating serious risks for Karachi, whose water supply depended on the Indus River system.

“The unfair reduction in Sindh’s water quota is creating serious risks even for Karachi, the economic hub of the country,” he said, adding that the city was already facing a significant gap between water demand and supply.

Memon accused IRSA of ignoring Sindh’s objections and further reducing the province’s allocation under the “shortage compensation” principle.

“IRSA is further reducing Sindh’s share in the name of compensating shortage, which is unacceptable,” he said.

The minister said Sindh had repeatedly maintained that additional water entering the river system due to extraordinary rainfall could not be deducted from the share allocated to the province.

“IRSA’s decisions continue to strengthen the perception that Sindh is being subjected to discriminatory treatment,” he said.

Memon emphasized that Sindh’s rights under the 1991 Water Sharing Agreement must be fully protected.

“No province can be given preference over the participation of another province,” he said.

He also questioned the transfer of water through the Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Panjnad link canals, while dams, canals and agricultural areas in Sindh continued to face shortage.

“When the province’s dams and canals suffer from shortages, why are connecting canals given priority?” asked.

The minister said the problem is no longer limited to agriculture and has also become a challenge for urban centres.

“The supply of drinking water to Karachi and other cities of Sindh is directly linked to the Indus River system,” he said.

Memon warned that reduced flows in the Kotri Barrage and its associated canals could affect Karachi’s water supply system and increase the risk of disruption for residents.

“The impacts of water scarcity will also be felt in the drinking water supply, industries and overall economic activity of Karachi,” he said.

Terming the situation unacceptable, the minister urged the federal government to immediately take note of IRSA’s decisions.

“We demand that the federal government take practical steps to ensure that Sindh receives its full and rightful share under the 1991 Water Agreement,” he said.

Memon said the Pakistan People’s Party and the Sindh government would not compromise Sindh’s water rights.

He also asked IRSA to review its decisions, saying that any reduction or unfair distribution of Sindh’s share of water was against the interests of the province.

On the other hand, Memon criticized the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), accusing the party of trying to revive its politics through what he called baseless allegations and outdated narratives.

Responding to a press conference by MQM-P leaders, he said the party’s policy had historically revolved around slogans, accusations and creating crises.

“Even today, MQM repeats the same old approach,” he said.

Memon alleged that the party had sought to create controversy around provincial autonomy, constitutional powers and the local government system.

Defending the Sindh government’s development initiatives in Karachi, he said projects like Yellow Line and Shahrah-e-Bhutto reflected the government’s commitment to practical work.

“The Yellow Line, Shahrah-e-Bhutto and other projects are proof that the Sindh government believes in practical work,” he said.

He added that legal or administrative conflicts related to public spaces must be resolved through the relevant courts and institutions.

The minister said people who had contributed to the city’s problems through ineffective governance and interest-driven politics were now trying to present themselves as saviors.

“The Sindh government has not only delegated powers to local government institutions but has also provided them with financial resources and legal support,” he said.

Memon maintained that Karachi belonged to all Pakistanis and not to a single political party.

“Karachi is the economic center of Pakistan,” he said. “Those who make criticism of every development initiative their political weapon are, in fact, recognizing their own political decline.”