‘IRSA being unfair with Sindh’

Minister says the authority failed to implement the 1991 water accord.

KARACHI:

Sindh Minister for Irrigation Jam Khan Shoro said the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) was formed to ensure the equal distribution of water, but it failed to implement the 1991 water accord. He said this was an injustice with the people of Sindh.

The minister claimed that the inadequate steps of IRSA were causing a severe water shortage in the province. He said this while talking to the media at his office on Wednesday.

Shah said that last year, IRSA claimed the country was facing an acute water shortage. He added that the 1991 accord also mentioned the manner in which would be shared in case of a shortage. He said that kharif season begins in the month of April in the province and IRSA failed and even delayed supplying water to Sindh.

Read Water shortage and Kharif crops

He said the Sindh irrigation department sent a letter to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) over the transfer of water through the CJ and TP link canals. It demanded the immediate closure of this supply, but no positive response had been given.

He added that due to the severe water shortage in the province, standing crop is turning pale and Kinjhar Lake’s water level is also decreasing. Shoro urged IRSA to immediately supply the province with its share of water so that standing crops could be saved from destruction.