Quetta: Chief Engineer Canals Balochistan Qurban Ali Jatoi paid an emergency visit to Sukkur Barrage amid the continued non-provision of Balochistan’s rightful share of water in the Kirthar Canal.
He separately met Commissioner Sukkur Abid Saleem Qureshi and Chief Engineer Sukkur Barrage Mukhtiar Ahmed Abro, expressing serious reservations over the situation, said a news release received here.
He was accompanied by Executive Engineer Pat Feeder Canal Fareed Ahmed Pindrani and Executive Engineer Kirthar Canal Ghulam Muhammad Badini, while Commissioner Nasirabad Division Salahuddin Noorzei remained in constant contact.
Commissioner Sukkur assured that Balochistan would be provided its due share of water in the Kirthar Canal. Chief Engineer Abro also briefed Jatoi on the current water situation.
Qurban Ali Jatoi said unequivocally that Balochistan is not receiving the 2,400 cusecs of water mandated under IRSA regulations, leaving thousands of farmers in Kirthar Canal areas in severe distress and placing the irrigation department under immense pressure. He emphasized that despite shortages, irrigation authorities in Sindh and Punjab are legally bound to provide Balochistan its rightful share, which is already minimal compared to the overall allocation.
He warned that failure to provide timely agricultural water could devastate Balochistan’s green belt. He further stressed that, under the directives of Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, all possible measures will continue to protect farmers’ rights and ensure water supply, affirming that Balochistan’s farmers will not be left alone.