KARACHI: The Sindh government has raised serious concerns over ongoing water shortages in the province. Officials have accused the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) of unfairly reducing Sindh's water share. They say the decision is hurting agriculture and creating risks for Karachi's water supply.
Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said IRSA actions go against the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord. He described the situation as unfair and said the people of Sindh were being deprived of their rightful share of water.
According to Sharjeel, Sindh has been facing a water shortage of around 22 percent in recent days. He added that shortages at Guddu and Kotri barrages have reached 42 percent and 29 percent respectively. These low water levels are affecting farms across the province and increasing concerns about future supplies.
Senior Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit @sharjeelinam Memon said IRSA's recent decisions were contrary to the spirit and principles of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and amounted to a "blatant injustice" to the people of Sindh. https://t.co/N4cuFljKpd
— 🔴A_Razzaque Shaikh (PPP_C.W. Sindh) (@RazzaqueShkh) June 1, 2026
He also warned that Karachi could face more water problems if the situation continues. The city already struggles to meet its growing water demand. Since Karachi depends heavily on the Indus River system, any drop in water levels directly affects the city's supply network.
Sharjeel said IRSA was reducing Sindh's water allocation under a policy called "shortage equalization." He rejected this approach and said Sindh should not lose its share because of extra water received during periods of heavy rainfall. He stressed that such inflows should not be counted against the province's allocation.
The minister also questioned why large amounts of water were being diverted through link canals while Sindh own barrages and canals were facing severe shortages. He said priority should be given to areas already struggling with low water availability.
He warned that the issue is no longer limited to agriculture. It has now become a major challenge for cities as well. Reduced water supplies could affect drinking water, industrial activity, and economic operations in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
Sharjeel called on the federal government to take immediate notice of the matter. He urged authorities to ensure that Sindh receives its full share of water under the 1991 agreement. He also demanded a review of IRSA recent decisions to guarantee fair and transparent water distribution.
Reaffirming the provincial government's stance, Sharjeel said the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Sindh government would continue to defend Sindh's water rights through constitutional, legal, and democratic channels. He added that any unfair reduction in the province's share would harm the interests of millions of people across Sindh.
