Calls for Prompt Action to Reopen Canals
Published on: June 26, 2024.
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Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, on June 26th, 2024, approached the Sindh chief secretary requesting a fair investigation into the incident that occurred on June 20th, which caused damage to the Sukkur Barrage. Additionally, they called for the release of water into closed canals to prevent heavy losses for growers.
Following the incident on June 20th, many canals have had their water supplies suspended. The incident caused gate No. 47 to mysteriously plunge into the Indus water, while gate No. 44 was extensively damaged. Chinese experts are currently supervising repair works, but there is no exact timeframe for the resumption of water supplies.
Haleem Adil Sheikh, the Sindh PTI President, expressed his party’s concern over the situation and urged the chief secretary to take action. The closure of Nara, Rohri, Khanpur East, Khanpur West, Dadu, Rice, and Khirthar canals has had a severe impact on eight million acres of agricultural land. Particularly, farmers who recently sowed paddy crop seeds have been affected by the water shortage crisis.
Sheikh held the irrigation department accountable for the crisis and called for the identification of those responsible. He demanded the resignation of the irrigation minister and the formation of a judicial commission to conduct a transparent investigation.
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