The ongoing water dispute between Punjab and Sindh has intensified with accusations over the construction of new canals on the Indus River. Sindh’s Chief Minister, Murad Ali Shah, firmly opposes the canals, stating that they will reduce Sindh’s water share. He claims that the province has strong evidence to support its stance and insists no one can disregard their position on the matter.
Punjab, on the other hand, has accused Sindh of underreporting water discharges at key barrages, particularly at Guddu and Sukkur, potentially skewing the distribution. The Punjab Irrigation Department has pointed to discrepancies, such as the Rice Canal showing as closed while still flowing at 936 cubic feet per second. These issues, Punjab argues, threaten fair water allocation.
The dispute has led to mounting political tension, with the PPP in Punjab threatening to leave the ruling coalition if the water distribution concerns are not resolved. The party demands that the federal government call a Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting to address the crisis. The PPP’s strong stance on the issue has fueled further unrest, particularly with the upcoming public rally by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, where he is expected to speak on the matter.
With Pakistan already facing a significant water shortage, both provinces are at odds over how to manage the country’s limited resources. The federal government faces increasing pressure to mediate and find a solution before the situation escalates further.
