Indus river drying up, PPP member Sherry Rehman voices concern

ISLAMABAD, Apr 10: With the water level in the Indus river recording a historic low, the PPP (Pakistan People’s Party) member Sherry Rehman has termed it a national issue and urged that it must not be politicised.
In an urgent call to action, the former climate change minister stressed that the situation is now a national emergency, according to Dawn.
“The Indus River is drying up before our eyes,” warned Senator Rehman, who heads the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Env ironmental Coordination.
“This is not the time for blame-game. Climate change is the enemy – not each other.”
Giving out numbers, she added “Rainfall has dropped by 40 percent due to accelerating climate change. The Sukkur Barrage is experiencing a 71 percent decline in water levels, while overall shortages across all three barrages have reached 65 percent. These are staggering numbers.”
Fears of an exacerbated water crisis by Islamabad have proven to be astute as key rivers in Punjab are witnessing dangerously low water levels, raising serious concerns over the future of agriculture in the region. Areas in Sindh are witnessing an alarming water crisis owing to scarce rainfall and drought in the region.
Dry conditions have begun to severely impact major rivers across Punjab. The Ravi River near Lahore is rapidly drying up, while water levels at Head Marala in Sialkot have also dropped significantly. Similarly, the Jhelum River is experiencing a noticeable reduction in flow.
Rehman went on to criticise the current response to the crisis by the administration, pointing out that instead of conserving the rapidly depleting water resources, canal extractions were being carried out which is further draining the Indus water.
Calling for immediate and united national action, the PPP leader said her party would not compromise on the people’s right to water.
“We need urgent coordination between provinces and the federation. The PPP has always stood for the rights of the people, and it will fight for their access to this vital resource,” she said.
She urged the federal government to declare the water shortage a climate emergency and urged the federal government to urgently convene the CCI meeting to address the serious water issue.
(UNI)

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