Sherry Rehman terms opening of Taunsa-Panjnad link canal irresponsible

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party has termed the decision to open the Taunsa-Panjnad link canal despite a historic water shortage in the Indus River a “highly irresponsible” step and a direct violation of inter-provincial harmony.

Vice President PPP and parliamentary leader of the PPP in the Senate Sherry Rehman demanded immediate closure of the canal and convening of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting to address the “crisis”. “It is extremely irresponsible to open the controversial Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal amid a 50pc water shortage,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

Senator Sherry Rehman said this decision flies in the face of cooperative federalism and threatens the livelihood of millions in Sindh. “We cannot allow Sindh’s rightful share of water to be diverted under any circumstances.”

She said the impact of the water crisis is already being felt on the ground. According to farmers in Larkana, Dadu, and Kamber Shahdadkot, water supply from all three canals off the Sukkur Barrage has been shut for over fifteen days. At Makana, flow has dropped to just 6,000 cusecs.

Senator Sherry Rehman underscored that the Indus River is already experiencing record-breaking shortages, with current levels setting a 100-year low. “Such actions, undertaken during a severe crisis, are tantamount to stealing the rights of Sindh’s people,” she said.

Condemning IRSA’s role, Senator Rehman said, “IRSA’s partiality is now undeniable. Its decisions are inflicting serious damage on Sindh. We demand transparency, accountability, and fairness in the distribution of Pakistan’s lifeline—its water.”

She further added that any step to construct new canals without consensus is deeply problematic and warned of devastating ecological and socio-economic consequences.

“Six new canals will turn Sindh’s fertile lands into barren deserts,” she cautioned. “Inequitable water distribution will impact millions of farmers, exacerbate inter-provincial tensions, and hurt the federation.”

In the meanwhile, Central Information Secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), Shazia Marri, strongly condemned the opening of the Taunsa-Panjnad (TP) Link Canal at a time when Sindh is grappling with a severe 62% water shortage. In a statement Shazia Marri questioned the rationale behind opening the canal, stating, “At a time when Sindh is facing a devastating 62% water shortage, why is the Taunsa Panjnad canal opened?”