Sindh facing water shortage: CM Murad
A private water tanker supplies water to residents of Akhtar Colony, where acute water shortage is being witnessed. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS
The Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the province is facing severe water shortage with a 42% drop in water in the Indus River.
Talking to the media in Sehwan, Jamshoro district, on Monday Shah blamed the federal authorities for unjust distribution of water among the provinces.
He said that he had complained before Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif about the unfair distribution issue. "However, I hope that this issue which has been pending before the Council of Common Interests will soon resolve."
The CM said the same shortfall of water also existed in Sehwan. He added that the government is trying to find a permanent solution to the water crisis. He reiterated condemnation of the incident in Masjid-e-Nabvi and said the political opposition should not trespass the ethics.
Separately, Sindh irrigation minister Jam Khan Shoro blamed Indus River System Authority (IRSA) for depriving Sindh of its share of water on the pretext of the shortfall. According to him, Sindh's share was slashed by 22% less water in 2021 in the same season. However, he added, the same cut has been doubled this year.
"The shortage has affected crops on thousands of acres of land in the province," he claimed. He added that a crisis of drinking water shortage has also crept up in Karachi and Hyderabad.
"IRSA is not implementing the 1991 water accord owing to which Sindh isn't getting its due share." The irrigation minister demanded that the province should be provided its due share as per the accord.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 3rd, 2022.