Sharjeel Memon Criticises Irsa's 'Unjust Reduction' of Sindh's Water Share, Urges Centre to Take Notice

Sindh's Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has urged the federal government to intervene regarding what he described as the Indus River Systems Authority's (Irsa) "unjust reduction of Sindh’s share" of water. Memon insists that Sindh must receive its rightful allocation.

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We are adjusting excessive use [of water] by Sindh and trying to equalise shortages between the two provinces by June 10. Secondly, water position is not satisfactory in rivers. Now with the increase in temperature, it is hoped that we will be able to increase water releases shortly afterwards.

The province has been facing a 22% water shortage for the past ten days. Irsa, however, claims it is working to "equalise shortages between Punjab and Sindh." Irsa Director Operations Khalid Idrees Rana stated that they are adjusting for excessive use by Sindh and aim to balance the shortages by June 10. He also noted that the overall water position in the rivers is not satisfactory but expressed hope for increased releases shortly.

Despite Irsa's explanation, Memon posted on X that the authority's "continued disregard for Sindh’s legitimate concerns and the unjust reduction of Sindh’s share under the guise of ‘shortage equalisation’ is unacceptable." He argued this action contradicts the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord, stating that no province should be prioritized at another's expense. Memon emphasized that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Sindh Government are committed to defending Sindh’s water rights through all available legal and democratic means.

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Irsa’s continued disregard for Sindh’s legitimate concerns and the unjust reduction of Sindh’s share under the guise of ‘shortage equalisation’ is unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord. No province can be given preference at the expense of another.

The minister highlighted the severity of the water shortage, noting deficits of 22% across the province, 42% at Guddu Barrage, and 29% at Kotri Barrage. He warned that this situation not only threatens the agricultural sector but also endangers water supply to major urban centers, including Karachi, Pakistan's economic hub.

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The PPP and Sindh Government will continue to defend Sindh’s water rights at every constitutional, legal and democratic forum.

Supporting his claims, Memon shared a letter from the Sindh Irrigation Department's director of regulation to Irsa. The letter dated May 23 detailed that Sindh's indent had not been met since May 16. While Sindh requested 95,000 to 110,000 cusecs, Irsa restricted releases to 80,000 to 85,000 cusecs. The letter also pointed out that the Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Panjnad link canals were extracting significant amounts of water, further exacerbating Sindh's supply issues during the critical Early Kharif Season sowing period. The irrigation department expressed "great concern" that Irsa was not fulfilling Sindh's requirements at this vital juncture, warning of "significant distress" among farmers and potential agricultural losses.

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Sindh Province’s indent has not been met since May 16, 2026. While the requested indent was 95,000 cusecs (May 16–20) and 110,000 cusecs (May 21–25), Irsa has restricted downstream Chashma releases for Sindh province to just 80,000 and 85,000 cusecs for those periods, which will impact the water supplies to Sindh province during the critical period of Early Kharif Season.