Sindh berates Punjab for opening TP Link Canal as it faces 50pc water shortage

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday strongly criticised the Punjab government for opening the Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal, a controversial move which Sindh has already objected to.

“We are currently facing a 50 per cent shortage of water. In such a situation, opening the TP Link Canal was irresponsible,” he said and added that Punjab is weakening its own case, while ours is getting stronger.

“We will not rest until there is a formal announcement to shut down the canal projects,” the CM said while talking to the media at the Dow University of Health Sciences, where he inaugurated a ‘Comprehensive Cancer Centre’ and a girls hostel after addressing the inauguration ceremony. The gathering was attended by Sindh HEC Chairman Prof Tariq Rafi, Dow University VC Dr Saeed Qureshi, medical professionals, provincial secretaries, government officials and others.

Shah said, “Today is a historic day for the people of Sindh. This cancer centre will greatly benefit patients suffering from this life-threatening disease.”

He announced the installation of three more advanced machines at the facility and appealed to philanthropists and the private sector to step forward and support this noble cause.

Addressing the gathering, the CM said the centre is set to transform cancer care in the province by providing cutting-edge, affordable treatment to patients throughout the region. He described the inauguration of the Comprehensive Cancer Centre as a proud and historic moment for the people of Sindh. He highlighted that the new facility is not merely a medical institution but a symbol of hope, innovation, and resilience.

“This centre is a beacon for families fighting cancer,” the CM said and added that it signifies our commitment to making world-class healthcare available to all, especially the underserved.

The path to this milestone began with establishing Pakistan’s first public sector Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Unit in 2021. The foundation stone for the cancer centre was laid in 2022, and within a brief timeframe, the vision has been realised.

Equipped with state-of-the-art departments in radiation oncology, medical oncology, and nuclear medicine theranostics, the centre also features advanced research and teaching facilities. This integration of treatment, education, and research positions it as one of the most comprehensive cancer institutions in the country.

Shah also paid tribute to Prof Dr Saeed Quraishy and his committed team for their unwavering efforts. “This achievement is a testament to what can be achieved when leadership, expertise, and vision come together,” he stated. The Comprehensive Cancer Centre aims not only to deliver lifesaving treatments but also to raise awareness and promote early detection through sustainable outreach and education programmes.

The CM officially declared the centre open, urging all stakeholders to collaborate in the ongoing mission to ensure a healthier and brighter future for the people of Sindh.

He separately chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ). He directed officials to expedite the construction work and ensure regular updates were provided on all key components of the project.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to CM Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah, Chairman P&D Najam Ahmed Shah, DG PPP Unit, and Abdul Azeem Uqaili.

It was informed that construction work at the SEZ has reached approximately 12%, while work on electrification, laying of the 10MGD water pipeline, and gas infrastructure is almost complete.

CM Shah emphasized the strategic importance of the Dhabeji SEZ in positioning Sindh as a prime destination for international investors. He noted that in the aftermath of the ongoing tariff tensions between global economies, especially the US and China, many Chinese manufacturers are looking to relocate or expand their operations to more cost-effective regions.

Dhabeji SEZ being a CPEC priority project will attract 2-3 billion dollars of investment and create 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, besides enhancing the socio-economic conditions in the area. “Sindh must seize this opportunity to attract foreign industries, particularly Chinese enterprises seeking stable, business-friendly environments,” said the CM.

He urged the relevant departments to fast-track infrastructure development and ensure investor facilitation mechanisms were in place to meet international standards.

In another letter from Sindh Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro, the Sindh government expressed concerns over Punjab’s “continuous and unjustified water withdrawal from the Taunsa-Panjnad link canal despite repeated objections and warnings”.

In the protest letter addressed to the federal government and the Indus River System Authority (Irsa), Shoro condemned the unauthorised water diversion from the Indus River, terming it a clear violation of the agreed upon water distribution framework.

According to the Sindh government, Punjab escalated the situation by increasing the flow through the TP link canal by an additional 1,000 cusecs the previous night, bringing the total diversion to 3,800 cusecs from the Indus River.

Shoro said this water is being used to supplement the Jhelum-Chenab zone, rather than drawing from Punjab’s own allocated share from those rivers. This is a grave injustice to Sindh, he added.

“At a time when Sindh is already facing an acute shortage of water needed for cultivating essential crops such as cotton and rice, this arbitrary increase in water withdrawal is exacerbating the crisis for our farmers and threatening the province’s agricultural stability.”

He said the impact of this unjustified diversion is already being felt across Sindh. At the Sukkur Barrage the province is facing a shortfall of 4,000 cusecs, he added. He also said the Kotri Barrage is receiving 2,300 cusecs less than its due share. These figures represent a significant loss at a time when water is critically needed for the upcoming cropping season, he added.

He pointed out that Irsa and the Centre’s continued discriminatory behaviour has not only deepened the water crisis in Sindh but also generated widespread unrest among the province’s residents.

“We have brought this matter to the attention of our party leadership, and demand that immediate action be taken to ensure that Sindh receives its rightful water share under the 1991 Water Accord.”

The Sindh government reiterated its demand that the TP link canal be closed immediately, and that any increase in flows through this canal be halted to protect Sindh’s water rights. It also urged Irsa to ensure fair and transparent implementation of water-sharing arrangements between the provinces.

He concluded by warning that if such practices continue, the situation in Sindh might deteriorate further, leading to serious consequences for agriculture, livelihoods and social harmony. He called upon the federal authorities to intervene urgently and ensure justice for Sindh’s people.