Balochistan, Sindh strike water deal to save struggling farmers
A high-level delegation from the Balochistan government held important talks with Sindh officials in Karachi to resolve the ongoing water dispute. The meeting ended with both provinces agreeing to strengthen long-term cooperation and immediately increase water supplies to Balochistan.
The Balochistan delegation was led by Irrigation Minister Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani, along with provincial ministers Saleem Ahmed Khosa and Muhammad Khan Lehri. Umrani said the agreement is very important for the province, where thousands of farmers are struggling because of water shortages.
He said many farmers are facing a serious crisis as their crops are at risk of being destroyed. He added that the provincial leadership is committed to ensuring Balochistan receives its full constitutional and agreed share of water without any delay.
Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro assured the Balochistan delegation that Sindh understands the difficulties faced by farmers. He said Sindh will cooperate fully and ensure that around 9,000 cusecs of water continue flowing through the Pat Feeder Canal in line with the 1991 Water Accord.
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The agreement comes at a time when many agricultural areas in Balochistan have been badly affected by water shortages. Farmers across the Kirthar Canal command area have been protesting for weeks, warning that the lack of irrigation could destroy standing crops and cause heavy financial losses.
Earlier this month, the Balochistan government had considered taking legal action against Sindh over what it described as an unfair distribution of canal water. Officials said repeated efforts to resolve the issue through talks had not produced the desired results.
Pat Feeder Canal Superintending Engineer Mudassar Khoso had claimed that although the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) reported improved water availability, Sindh was still providing Balochistan with 46 percent less water than its allocated share.
According to Khoso, Balochistan was receiving only 0.365 million acre-feet (MAF) of water instead of its allocated 0.678 MAF, creating a shortfall of 0.310 MAF.
He also said Balochistan needed 6,700 cusecs of water at RD-109 but was receiving only 4,096 cusecs. At RD-102, the province required 2,400 cusecs but was receiving only 1,050 cusecs. Khoso added that he had raised the issue with the relevant authorities but was not satisfied with the response.
