CM calls for action to preserve water resources for future generations

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in his message on World Water Day that was observed on Saturday emphasised the escalating water crisis in the province and called for urgent action to safeguard water resources for future generations.

“Water is life, and its conservation is our collective responsibility,” the CM stressed. He urged the public to prevent water waste and ensure a sustainable future.

He expressed profound concern regarding Sindh’s severe water shortage, warning that agriculture and economy were at serious risk due to diminishing water availability. “The crisis has significantly impacted farmers and fishermen, whose livelihoods depend on the Indus River,” he stated.

Shah pointed out that the reduced water flow in the Indus River had jeopardised millions of jobs. He attributed the threat to the river’s existence to climate change and inequitable water distribution.

“The drying waves of the Indus River are a warning sign for life and agriculture,” he declared, reaffirming that Sindh would not compromise on its water rights.

Expressing strong concern over the construction of new canals on the Indus River, the CM cautioned that such projects could worsen the water crisis in the province and lead to drought-like conditions. He urged the federal government to ensure a fair distribution of water so that every province received its rightful share.

“How can new canals be constructed when Sindh’s fertile lands are already deprived of water?” he asked, demanding immediate action to prevent a potential famine in the province.

The CM also highlighted the importance of protecting the Indus Delta, asserting that its preservation was vital for Pakistan’s survival. “The Indus River’s waters have not reached the Indus Delta for years, resulting in the submergence of millions of acres of land into the sea,” he lamented.

Shah assured the people of Sindh that his government had formulated a robust strategy to address the water crisis and called for a collective effort to conserve every drop of water. “Life is impossible without water; let us pledge today to protect every drop,” he urged, emphasising the Pakistan People’s Party’s commitment to defending Sindh’s water rights.

Land records system

The CM on Saturday said his government has launched an advanced digitisation initiative aimed at accuracy, security and efficiency in property records management, adds Salis bin Perwaiz.

During a meeting of the Board of Revenue he chaired at the CM House, Shah discussed milestones in this transformation, and emphasised the need for a simplified, tech-driven approach to land documentation and transfer.

At the outset, he emphasised that the previous 12-step land transfer process be streamlined into a single-step digital mechanism, ensuring ease of access and eliminating bureaucratic delays.

He highlighted that Sindh’s digital land record system would set a precedent for modern, tech-enabled governance, reducing corruption, ensuring rightful ownership and accelerating property transactions.

Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah said manual land records are being rewritten and authenticated, a digital land register is being created, and blockchain technology is being integrated to ensure tamper-proof record-keeping. Moreover, he added, a web-based e-transfer system would facilitate seamless property transactions without the need for visits to government offices.

The CS said that to ensure accuracy and transparency, the government is manually rewriting Village Form VII-A and Village Form-II records, which serve as the foundation of land ownership data. A CNIC linkage system is being incorporated to provide definitive ownership verification, preventing fraudulent claims and documentation errors, he added.

He said that a comprehensive digital land register is being developed to record survey number-wise area details of entire Dehs (villages). “This system will also hold data on non-transferable land categories, including forest land, village commons, graveyards and bhada [leased] land, ensuring that these properties remain protected and beyond unauthorised transactions.”

He also said that one of the most significant advancements in this initiative is the use of blockchain technology. “The rewritten and authenticated records will be fully digitised and stored in a blockchain-based database, making them immutable and tamper-proof.”

The CM said the new system would introduce a paperless, faceless and seamless land title transfer mechanism, eliminating the need for physical visits to revenue offices. “Instead, biometric verification at Peoples Service Centres will be the only requirement, making the process more secure and efficient.”

He said the system would be integrated with NADRA, the Federal Board of Revenue, banks and other government institutions for real-time data validation and verification.

On the recommendation of the CS, the CM approved a pilot project in Deh Matiari and Palijani (District and Taluka Matiari) and Deh Bagerji (Taluka and District Sukkur) to test the effectiveness of this digital framework.

“These areas have been chosen for the rewriting and digitisation of land records in collaboration with IBA Sukkur, which is developing the technical framework for this transformation.”

The CM said that with the integration of blockchain technology, biometric authentication and web-based property transfers, Sindh is progressing towards a futuristic land management system that promises greater efficiency, security and public trust. “The success of the pilot project will pave the way for province-wide implementation, revolutionising land ownership and real estate transactions.”