Sindh today finds itself at the center of a carefully orchestrated crisis as the province faces alarming water shortages, political betrayal, and environmental destruction. The federal government’s push to construct six new canals under the so-called “Green Pakistan Initiative“, including the controversial Cholistan Canal, is being presented as a national development project, but the reality reveals a deeper political game targeting Sindh’s heart and soul.
Official data shows that Sindh is entitled to 42% of the Indus River’s waters under the 1991 Water Accord, yet the province has regularly faced shortfalls, with 2024 alone witnessing a 30% deficit during key agricultural seasons, devastating rural economies dependent on rice, wheat, and cotton cultivation. Meanwhile, the fragile Indus Delta continues to lose around 35,000 acres of land annually to sea intrusion due to reduced freshwater flows.
The construction of these canals, without Sindh’s consent or approval through the Council of Common Interests, is a direct constitutional violation. Environmental experts warn that the diversion of up to 4 million acre-feet of water annually could permanently cripple Sindh’s agriculture and accelerate desertification. Yet despite these grave risks, work continues aggressively, exposing that water scarcity is being weaponized for political gains rather than resolved through national unity.
At the core of this conspiracy is a clear political tactic: weakening the Pakistan Peoples Party’s traditional dominance in Sindh. It is evident that all major political forces, apart from the PPP, are exploiting the water crisis to foster public anger against the provincial government. Their strategy is simple yet dangerous: manufacture discontent, blame PPP for federal failures, and erode its political fort in Sindh ahead of the coming elections. Analysts point out that nearly 60% of the lands being targeted for irrigation through these new canals belong to powerful feudal families closely aligned with ruling factions in Punjab and southern Balochistan. By channelling water to these areas, the federal setup is not merely expanding agriculture; it is building a loyal political base at Sindh’s expense.
Mass protests like the Babarloi Dharna show the genuine outrage of Sindh’s people. However, even these protests risk being manipulated by anti-PPP forces who seek to hijack the narrative. Instead of standing with Sindh to protect its rights, rival parties are fuelling the fire to weaken the one political party that has historically defended Sindh’s identity, rights, and survival. This is not simply a battle over canals; it is a battle over Sindh’s political future.
Adding external pressure to an already burning situation, India’s announcement to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty following the recent Kashmir tensions poses an existential threat. If India moves to block or divert river flows, Sindh will be the first and worst-hit region. Yet, as Pakistan faces an international water war, internal forces continue to play dangerous games with Sindh’s survival.
The solution demands urgent action. All new canal constructions must be immediately halted until transparent consultations occur through the Council of Common Interests. Environmental impact reports must be published and made binding. Pakistan must present a united front internationally to protect its water rights. Above all, Sindh must remain vigilant and politically conscious, recognising that the real battle is not only over water but over its political dignity and future.
History will remember those who stood firm and those who chose betrayal. Sindh’s rivers have sustained its civilisation for thousands of years and they must not be sacrificed today at the altar of petty political ambition.
The views expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect The Aian Mirror’s editorial stance.
