Sindh's Struggle for Indus River: Securing Water Rights Amid Rising Challenges

At a Sindh Thinkers Forum seminar, experts and activists criticized proposed canal projects threatening the already stressed Indus River. They urged Sindh's government to protect its water rights against Punjab and reject corporate farming, highlighting regional water imbalances and environmental risks.

In a seminar organized by the Sindh Thinkers Forum, stakeholders from various sectors convened to discuss critical threats to the Indus River at the Pakistan American Cultural Centre. Dubbed 'Survival of the Indus River: Threats and Challenges,' the event united writers, intellectuals, lawyers, and activists to voice concerns over recent federal proposals affecting the river's flow.

Participants strongly opposed the federal government's plans to amend the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Act and construct additional canals. They emphasized the necessity for the Sindh government to forcefully advocate for the province's water rights, ensuring the integrity of Sindh's allocation is not compromised. The contentious proposal includes plans for the Cholistan Canal, which some argue would exacerbate existing water shortages.

Speakers highlighted the adverse impact of corporate farming, which they claim threatens both the environment and local economies. Rejecting federal initiatives perceived as disguised economic reforms, they affirmed their commitment to fighting any redistribution of Sindh's water resources. The seminar's discourse underscored a call to uphold Article 155 of the Constitution, advocating for the Council of Common Interest to address water distribution disputes.

(With inputs from agencies.)