The Sindh government on Sunday protested the ongoing water shortage and accused the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) of unfairly reducing the province’s water share, calling on the federal government to intervene immediately.

In a statement, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said Sindh had been facing a 22 per cent water shortage for several days, with shortages of 42pc at Guddu Barrage and 29pc at Kotri Barrage.

“IRSA’s recent conduct is a violation of the 1991 Water Accord and an open injustice to the people of Sindh,” Memon said.

He said the reduction in Sindh’s water share was creating serious risks for Karachi, whose water supply depended on the Indus River system.

“The unfair reduction in Sindh’s water share is creating serious risks even for Karachi, the country’s economic hub,” he said, adding that the city was already facing a significant gap between water demand and supply.

Memon accused IRSA of ignoring Sindh’s objections and further reducing the province’s allocation under the principle of “shortage equalisation”.

“IRSA is further reducing Sindh’s share in the name of shortage equalisation, which is unacceptable,” he said.

The minister said Sindh had repeatedly maintained that additional water entering the river system due to extraordinary rainfall could not be deducted from the province’s allocated share.

“IRSA’s decisions continue to strengthen the perception that Sindh is being subjected to discriminatory treatment,” he said.

Memon stressed that Sindh’s rights under the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord should be fully protected.

“No province can be given preference over another province’s share,” he said.

He also questioned the transfer of water through the Chashma-Jhelum and Taunsa-Panjnad link canals while Sindh’s barrages, canals and agricultural areas continued to face shortages.

“When the province’s barrages and canals are suffering from shortages, why are link canals being prioritised?” he asked.

The minister said the issue was no longer confined to agriculture and had become a challenge for urban centres as well.

“The supply of drinking water to Karachi and other cities of Sindh is directly linked to the Indus River system,” he said.

Memon warned that reduced flows at Kotri Barrage and its associated canals could affect Karachi’s water supply system and increase the risk of disruptions for residents.

“The impacts of water shortages will also be felt in Karachi’s drinking water supply, industries and overall economic activity,” he said.

Calling the situation unacceptable, the minister urged the federal government to take immediate notice of IRSA’s decisions.

“We demand that the federal government take practical measures to ensure Sindh receives its full and rightful share under the 1991 Water Accord,” he said.

Memon said the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Sindh government would not compromise on Sindh’s water rights.

He also called on IRSA to review its decisions, saying any reduction or unfair distribution of Sindh’s share of water was against the interests of the province.

Separately, Memon criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), accusing the party of attempting to revive its politics through what he termed baseless allegations and outdated narratives.

Responding to a press conference by MQM-P leaders, he said the party’s politics had historically revolved around slogans, accusations and the creation of crises.

“Even today, MQM is repeating the same old approach,” he said.

Memon alleged that the party had sought to create controversy around provincial autonomy, constitutional powers and the local government system.

Defending the Sindh government’s development initiatives in Karachi, he said projects such as the Yellow Line and Shahrah-e-Bhutto reflected the government’s commitment to practical work.

“The Yellow Line, Shahrah-e-Bhutto and other projects are proof that the Sindh government believes in practical work,” he said.

He added that legal or administrative disputes relating to public spaces should be resolved through courts and relevant institutions.

The minister said individuals who had contributed to the city’s problems through ineffective governance and interest-driven politics were now attempting to portray themselves as saviours.

“The Sindh government has not only devolved powers to local government institutions but has also provided them with financial resources and legal support,” he said.

Memon maintained that Karachi belonged to all Pakistanis and not to any single political party.

“Karachi is Pakistan’s economic centre,” he said. “Those who make criticism of every development initiative their political weapon are, in fact, acknowledging their own political decline.”