KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced on Tuesday the establishment of a provincial water task force to investigate ongoing water shortages and evaluate risks concerning existing water-sharing agreements. He noted that the province continues to receive significantly less than its mandated share.
Speaking to reporters following the closing session of the International Insurance Conference 2026, the Chief Minister stated that a panel of experts would be tasked with reviewing the implementation of the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord and the Indus Waters Treaty.
“The task force will also compile a comprehensive report on the economic and agricultural losses Sindh faces due to these water deficits,” he explained.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the consistent failure to meet Sindh’s allocated water quota is a critical issue, adding that “India’s water aggression remains a serious concern for Pakistan.”
Says province has raised its objections to Jalalpur Canal at CCI; announces formation of task force to examine water-related issues
Says province has raised its objections to Jalalpur Canal at CCI; announces formation of task force to examine water-related issues
CM Murad said that every province is entitled to its designated share, yet while Punjab maintains a surplus, Sindh and two other provinces continue to face acute shortages.
Regarding the Cholistan canals, he noted that decisions have been finalized and are currently being implemented. However, he emphasized that Sindh’s formal objections to the Jalalpur Canal have been submitted to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) for review.
He further noted that the province has repeatedly voiced concerns regarding the functionality of the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) and the current telemetry system.
“The provincial cabinet will meet tomorrow to formally constitute this expert task force,” he stated.
Urges Centre to prioritize local wheat stocks over imports
Addressing food security, the Chief Minister urged the federal government to release local wheat stocks into the market rather than opting for imports. He pointed out that the 2024 wheat imports negatively impacted local growers and disrupted the subsequent crop cycle.
“Our priority is ensuring wheat availability while protecting the interests of our farmers,” he said.
He noted that national stocks are sufficient, highlighting that Sindh produced a record 4.9 million tonnes this year against a requirement of 1.7 million tonnes, with Punjab also reporting strong yields.
CM Murad also mentioned that the provincial government has successfully recovered over 200,000 tonnes of wheat through anti-hoarding operations, noting that Punjab is pursuing similar measures against stockpiling.
Regarding the issue of missing children, the Chief Minister expressed solidarity with the affected families, stating that the provincial home minister is personally monitoring the situation and that police efforts are being intensified.
“The government is committed to recovering these children; we appeal to citizens not to resort to vigilantism,” he assured.
The Chief Minister also commented on regional developments in the Middle East, noting that fuel consumption caps introduced under March’s austerity measures remain in effect, with future decisions to be made alongside the federal government.
Sindh leads in mandatory third-party motor insurance
While addressing the conference, the Chief Minister highlighted that Sindh is the first province to mandate third-party insurance for all registered vehicles.
Under the Sindh Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2026, which took effect on February 23, insurers must provide coverage of up to Rs700,000 for accidental death and Rs500,000 for permanent disability, with a 45-day settlement window for claims.
He noted that digital third-party policies have been available since March, with nearly 200,000 vehicles already insured and significant growth expected within the year.
To support farmers against climate-related risks, the Chief Minister noted that crop insurance has been exempted from sales tax. He added that the government is expanding welfare coverage through the Sindh Social Protection Authority.
CM Murad also stated that the provincial assembly has approved amendments to the Sindh Sales Tax Act via the Finance Bill 2026 to resolve long-standing issues within the insurance sector, aiming to make Sindh a more business-friendly and sustainable province.
He concluded by congratulating the Insurance Association of Pakistan Chairman, Shoaib Javed Hussain, and his team for organizing the event, and welcomed the international delegates to the city.
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