The lifeblood of agriculture in Pakistan – the Great Sind and its tributaries – is threatened. On a modern journey through the main weeds in Punjab and Sindh, I saw a flagrant contrast in water quality, flow, and infrastructure – while enhancing a deep crisis that directly affects millions of farmers and rural communities.
Sulemenki fires and Islam: toxic fact
On March 26, 2025, it was launched from Lahore before dawn, heading towards a Sulamankaki barrage through Akara. What received me there was horrific: contaminated black water tied with white toxic butter. While the unpleasant smell was possible, the visual effect was destroyed. I was told that January and February are the worst, as wastewater flows only during those months. Local population and officials confirmed that standing near the barrage during the winter season is almost impossible because of the wrong smell.
Water for cultivation is very rare. The groundwater is full and inappropriate, making the canal water the only source of vivicable. However, during the winter season, the river water ratio deteriorates significantly, often up to 0: 100.
Pollution sources extend both India and Pakistan. The reputable Hudaira depletion – which gets industrial and urban waste from both countries – is a major contributor. Miahi Lahore, that is, is nearly half of the waste of Faisal Abad, and the liquid waste of tanning of Kasur, finds its way to Soutlig across Ravi, poisoning the areas of the river course such as Sulemenki and the guidelines of Islam.
Chulpistan’s worrying dependence on polluted water
What surprised me most is the annoying reality in the remote Chulguestan: this polluted water is used for drinking (after boiling), cooking, and washing. This is a humanitarian crisis in making.
During my station near the Solmenki border, I praised the monument of Major Shapir Sharif Shahid (NH, SJ), a symbol of courage and sacrifice. Its legacy is better than polluted water flowing across our national borders.
Water problems in Punjab: scarcity in pollution
I began to preside over Islam in the evening and found a repetition of the poisonous story of Solmankaki – polluted water in a name and insufficient farmers. The situation was a little better in Punjnadburage, where pollution levels were lower, yet the water scarcity remained flagrant.
Officials in all bars spent their time to manage water distribution requests, with highlighting the systematic pressure on already limited resources.
Sindh fires: a story of calm contrast
I crossed the bond the next morning, and reached Guddubarge – breaths of fresh air. The active active flows in the bond reminded me of what this river represented. Among the four channels that were thrown, Pat Feeder and Ghotki were an actively flowing. The scene was the renewal of youth. The only channel on Gedo and Sukur was the closed Rene channel.
In Sukkur Barage, I was transferred. It was majestic. Although it is in the drought season, the bond flowed safely. Sukkur, the largest irrigation system in the world, serves more than 8 million acres through seven main channels. While the right bank channels, especially the great Nara channel, were prosperous, the left bank channels received a significantly lower flow-due to natural changes after 2010.
All left bank channels were flowing with the gates slightly open. Kirther had more flow, and the rice channels and DADU were slightly less than the flow. However, the left bank channels like neglected father’s children looked. Post -2010 floods, a large island formed near the left side of the barrage, and changing the normal flow of the river. Whether that science or politics, the result is the same: the right bank channels get the lion’s share while the left gets the table scraps.
However, I must say – Nara channel in the winter is graceful, silent and seriously consumed. The work that is done on Nara channel is worth praise: cement dams and modern infrastructure. Only one modest request to the SUKKUR powers: its fence before a curious child decided to swim and discover that it is deeper than their dreams.
Karachi sewage and Sind Delta: a lost opportunity?
Basic Question: If Punjab is forced to use all sewage water for cultivation, then why cannot be re -used as a Karachi water to renew the youth of Delta Sindh and support the mangroves trees? Environmental and agricultural benefits can be enormous.
An invitation to work: visit, witness and repair
While driving towards Lahore, I noticed that dry channels and distributions appear again across Punjab. The Bahri distributions, the last one I passed before the darkness, was dry.
I urge all stakeholders – urine makers, environmental protection advocates, engineers, and ordinary citizens – to visit these barriers, especially SUKKUR and Solemanki. See the truth for yourself.
The time of policy papers and office discussions has ended. Work is needed now.
