Balochistan delegation at Sukkur Barrage told province’s water share will be released in 24 to 48 hours

SUKKUR: On the directions of Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, and under the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) rules, a delegation led by Provincial Irrigation Minister Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani paid an urgent visit to Sukkur Barrage to ensure Balochistan receives its rightful share of water for agriculture.

The delegation included Provincial Minister for Communications and Works Mir Saleem Ahmed Khan Khosa, Provincial Parliamentary Secretary for Excise and Taxation and MPA Haji Muhammad Khan Lehri, and Provincial Irrigation Secretary Sohail ur Rehman Baloch. Sukkur Division Commissioner Abid Saleem Qureshi was also present.

Sindh Irrigation officials briefed the delegation. They assured it that Balochistan would receive water according to its allocated share within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Sadiq Umrani: Sindh responsible for full share under Irsa rules

Speaking to the media, Provincial Irrigation Minister Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani said there was currently a severe shortage of water in Balochistan’s canals. He said ensuring water for farmers at this crucial stage of sowing was the government’s top priority, and no negligence in this regard would be tolerated.

He said that even if there was an overall shortage of water in the Indus River, it was the constitutional and legal responsibility of the Sindh government and the relevant departments, under Irsa rules, to provide Balochistan with its full and rightful share. He said the Balochistan government was taking every possible step to secure it.

Kirthar Canal Executive Engineer Ghulam Muhammad Badini and sub-divisional officers Amanullah Gajani and Haji Mumtaz Ali Soomro were also present.

Photos: courtesy DGPR Balochistan