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Sindh High Court Challenged Over Cholistan Canal Water Certificates
A Sindh farmer has challenged IRSA’s water availability certificates for Cholistan canals in the Sindh High Court, demanding the appointment of a federal member from Sindh.
ND
by News Desk
2025-03-08
Sindh High Court Challenged Over Cholistan Canal Water Certificates

A Sindh farmer has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC), challenging the issuance of water availability certificates for six canals in Cholistan, arguing that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) is operating illegally without a federal member from Sindh.

The petitioner contends that IRSA, in its current formation, lacks legal standing to issue such certificates and demands that the 2017 Sindh High Court ruling—which called for the appointment of a federal member from Sindh in IRSA—be enforced.

Legal Challenge Over IRSA’s Authority

The petitioner’s lawyer emphasized that until Sindh’s representation is ensured in IRSA, the institution has no legal jurisdiction to issue water certificates, particularly for the Cholistan and Thal Canal Phase 2 projects. The lawyer argued that any decision made without Sindh’s federal member is unconstitutional and discriminatory against the province’s water rights.

The petition requests the nullification of all water availability certificates issued by IRSA for these new canal projects, stating that such allocations must be made only after fair provincial representation.

Background: Water Disputes & IRSA’s Role

IRSA is responsible for regulating and distributing water from the Indus River among Pakistan’s provinces. However, Sindh has long raised concerns over unfair water distribution and lack of representation in IRSA’s decision-making process. The issue has intensified as new irrigation projects, such as the Cholistan and Thal canals, continue to be developed, potentially affecting Sindh’s water share.

In 2017, the Sindh High Court ruled in favor of appointing a federal member from Sindh in IRSA, but the decision has yet to be implemented. The current petition seeks to enforce this ruling and prevent any further water allocations until the appointment is made.

Implications of the Case

If the court rules in favor of the petitioner, IRSA may lose its authority to issue water certificates without full representation, potentially delaying or halting the development of new irrigation projects. The case highlights ongoing tensions over water distribution and could set a significant legal precedent for Sindh’s role in IRSA.
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