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Balochistan Farmers Suffer as Sindh Fails to Release Water from Khirthar Canal
Severe water crisis in Balochistan's Nasirabad and Jhal Magsi districts delays paddy sowing and threatens livelihoods as Sindh withholds water from Khirthar canal.
ND
by News Desk
2024-08-02
Balochistan Farmers Suffer as Sindh Fails to Release Water from Khirthar Canal

Farmers in the Nasirabad and Jhal Magsi districts of Balochistan face an acute crisis as the sowing of paddy on over 200,000 acres has been delayed for two months. The delay is due to the Sindh government not releasing Balochistan’s water share from the Sukkur Barrage into the Khirthar canal.

 

Officials from the Balochistan Irrigation Department have reported a severe shortage of water in the canal, leading to a dire drinking water situation in Nasirabad. Despite informing Sindh’s irrigation department officials, there has been no action to release the required water to Balochistan.

 

At a press conference on Thursday, Provincial President of the Zamindar Association Haji Shabbir Umrani and another leader, Haider Khan Jamali, expressed deep concerns. They revealed that paddy plants are drying up due to inadequate water supply and warned of heavy financial losses as the sowing season nears its end.

 

“The main canal and its sub-branches are dry, causing extreme hardship for the local population who are struggling to find drinking water. Livestock are dying of thirst, and people are forced to bury their dead without following proper procedures,” they said.

 

The leaders criticized the Sindh government and the federal water distribution agency for their inaction and the resultant loss to Balochistan’s agriculture. They also condemned the provincial ministers and elected representatives of Balochistan for their lack of proactive measures.

 

Despite a technical fault at the Sukkur Barrage affecting the entire system, all of Sindh’s canals, except Khirthar, are receiving a full water supply. The Zamindar Association leaders stressed that during this critical period, Balochistan’s irrigation minister and local representatives should have been actively monitoring the water supply from the Sukkur Barrage.

 

They pointed out that only Mir Faisal Khan, among the 10 provincial assembly members from canal districts, is working actively to resolve the issue. In contrast, former irrigation minister Mohammad Khan Lehri had previously set up a camp office at the Sukkur Barrage to ensure water supply.

 

The leaders appealed to the Balochistan chief minister and other officials to take immediate action to address the crisis. They also announced that the Landowners Association plans to file a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court during the Kharif season to secure a permanent resolution to Balochistan’s water issues.
Tagged:

Balochistan

sindh

Agriculture

WaterCrisis
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