Sindh faces 41% water deficit, Murad appeals to PM Shehbaz
Sindh says it is facing a 41% water deficit, and Murad Ali Shah has asked PM Shehbaz to delay reservoir filling and enforce the 1991 water accord.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Murad Ali Shah says Sindh is getting far less water than its allocated share despite higher inflows and fuller reservoirs. He argues the shortfall is hurting farmers and could damage agriculture and the wider economy if distribution is not corrected quickly.
Sindh says its water pipe is only getting a little more than half of what it should. Murad Ali Shah is asking the prime minister to share the water more fairly so farms do not dry out, like making sure every house on a street gets its turn.
Analysis
What Shah is saying
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over what he described as a serious water shortage in the province. In the letter, he says Sindh is receiving 57,867 cusecs against an allocated share of 98,700 cusecs, which he says amounts to a 41% deficit.
Why he says the situation is unusual
Shah argues that the shortfall is happening even though overall water availability in the system has improved. He says river inflows are about 40% higher than they were in the same period last year, and water levels in major reservoirs have risen by 16%. He also notes that Punjab is facing only a 10% shortage.
Concerns over distribution
The chief minister says canal withdrawals for Sindh have dropped from 86,293 cusecs to 57,867 cusecs. He also claims discharge through CJ and TP link canals has increased by 16%, which he says raises questions about whether water is being distributed fairly.
What he wants the federal government to do
Shah alleges that priority is being given to filling reservoirs rather than following the agreed distribution system. He urges the federal government to delay reservoir filling until the monsoon season and to strictly implement the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.
Stakes for the province
He warns that farmers, especially in lower riparian areas, are already under pressure because they depend heavily on canal water for crops. He says Sindh and Balochistan could face further damage if the shortage continues, and that agriculture, crop production, and the wider economy may suffer if the issue is not resolved quickly.
Key points
- Murad Ali Shah says Sindh is receiving 57,867 cusecs against an allocated 98,700 cusecs.
- He says the province is facing a 41% water deficit even though overall inflows and reservoir levels have improved.
- Shah wants the federal government to delay reservoir filling until the monsoon season.
- He also calls for strict implementation of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord.
- He warns that continued shortages could hurt agriculture, crop production, and the wider economy.
If the federal government delays reservoir filling and follows the 1991 accord more strictly, Sindh could receive a fairer share of water in the short term. That would help farmers protect crops and reduce pressure in lower riparian areas.
If the shortage continues, farmers in Sindh and Balochistan may face heavier losses, especially where canal water is essential for crops. The dispute could also deepen concern over provincial water sharing just as agriculture needs more supply.
