Water tensions spill over as Balochistan joins Sukkur Barrage protest

Ministers accuse Sindh of diversion; vow push for fair share under water accord

HYDERABAD:

A growing water dispute between Sindh and Balochistan intensified on Saturday as three Balochistan cabinet members joined a farmers' protest at Sukkur Barrage, accusing Sindh of diverting their allocated share of water and warning that prolonged shortages are pushing farmers into financial distress.

The ministers urged the Sindh government to take action against what they described as the theft of Balochistan's water share through unauthorised channels in Sindh.

Farmers from several districts of Larkana division and their counterparts from Balochistan organised the demonstration over alleged water shortages.

The Balochistan ministers, Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, Saleem Ahmed Khoso and Muhammad Khan Lehri, are members of a committee formed by Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti to pursue the province's water concerns with the Sindh government.

During their visit, the ministers also met officials of the Sindh Irrigation Department in Sukkur and expressed hope that further discussions would be held in Karachi with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro.

Speaking to protesters, Umrani said Balochistan wanted its water share to be ensured under the 1991 Water Accord. He claimed the province was not receiving its allocated share of 2,400 cusecs from Khirthar Canal and 6,700 cusecs from Pat Feeder.

He said the shortage had severely affected farmers in Balochistan, who were unable to receive water at crucial crop sowing periods, resulting in financial losses.

The minister warned that Balochistan was already facing serious challenges, including terrorism, and said worsening economic conditions could create further difficulties.

Khoso said Sindh irrigation officials had claimed that Balochistan was receiving more water than its allocated share, but the committee rejected the assertion, saying ground realities showed a shortage.

He alleged that water was being diverted from Khirthar Canal while it passed through Sindh before entering Balochistan. He said his province wanted a permanent solution so that the issue did not lead to repeated protests every year.

Responding to a question regarding Sindh's own complaints of water shortages and alleged unfair distribution by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and Punjab, Khoso said Sindh blamed Punjab while Punjab maintained that it was receiving only its rightful share.

Lehri described Balochistan as Sindh's "younger brother" and expressed hope that the Sindh government would address the province's concerns.

The protest was led by Ghulam Mustafa Rind, Mohsin Jamali and Mohsin Kazi.