Staff Reporter:
QUETTA: Senior Provincial Minister and Parliamentary Leader, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Balochistan Assembly, Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani has raised concerns over the federal government’s proposed amendments to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Act. He cautioned that such changes could weaken the IRSA Act, disrupt provincial harmony, and deepen misunderstandings among the provinces.
Highlighting Balochistan’s position, Umrani reiterated that the Water Apportionment Accord (WAA) of 1991 was a product of mutual consensus and remains the foundation for equitable water distribution among provinces. Under this framework, the annual projected water from the Indus River system stands at 117 million acre-feet. However, Balochistan receives only 3% of this, a share he described as inadequate to meet the province’s needs.
“The lack of water in the Indus River significantly impacts the provinces, especially Balochistan,” Umrani said, emphasizing that any amendment to the IRSA Act would jeopardize this fragile balance. He assured that Balochistan would stand firm on its rightful demands, supported by unanimous approval from provincial representatives.
Previously, Balochistan’s officials had strongly criticized delays and mismanagement in water delivery under the IRSA framework, calling for enhanced monitoring and timely allocation. With water scarcity worsening, Umrani’s statement reflects Balochistan’s ongoing struggle for equitable access to resources.
“We will not retreat from our legitimate stance,” he declared, underscoring the urgency of addressing the province’s water needs.
