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SHC Gives Govt 4 Weeks to Appoint IRSA Member from Sindh
Sindh High Court warns federal govt to appoint IRSA member from Sindh within 4 weeks — or federal member Asjad Imtiaz will be suspended. Court slams non-compliance with earlier order.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-27
SHC Gives Govt 4 Weeks to Appoint IRSA Member from Sindh

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued a stern warning to the federal government, granting it four weeks to appoint a federal member from Sindh to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA). Failure to comply will result in the suspension of the current federal member, Asjad Imtiaz Ali, the court ruled.

The directive came from a two-member SHC bench comprising Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Miran Muhammad Shah, during the hearing of a constitutional petition challenging the exclusion of Sindh in federal representation on IRSA.

📢 Key Court Observations

·       The court reminded the federal government that it had previously ordered the appointment of a federal member from Sindh within three weeks, a directive that remains unfulfilled.

·       Justice Kalhoro stated that if the order is not implemented within four more weeks, the appointment of Asjad Imtiaz as the current federal member will be suspended.

⚖️ Petitioner’s Argument

Petitioner’s counsel, Barrister Zameer Ghamro, argued that:

·       The absence of Sindh’s representation in IRSA is leading to discrimination in water distribution.

·       The federal government is in violation of both the law and the court’s earlier orders.

·       “The very formation of IRSA is now illegal due to the non-appointment of a member from Sindh,” he added.

Ghamro emphasized that the Sindh water share and other decisions made by IRSA are being unfairly affected by the lack of regional representation, exacerbating grievances over water distribution among provinces.

💧 Background: Water Politics in Pakistan

The issue of equitable water distribution has long been a source of inter-provincial conflict, with Sindh repeatedly raising concerns over injustices in IRSA decisions. The absence of a federal member from Sindh has further intensified demands for inclusive representation and legal compliance.

The court's decision is seen as a critical step in addressing this ongoing issue.

 
Tagged:

SHC

Irsa

SindhWaterRights

WaterPolitics

FederalGovt

AsjadImtiaz
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