This letter refers to the article ‘Water resource regulation’ (TNS, April 12, 2026) by Naseer Memon. It is deeply regrettable that the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) – the very institution entrusted with safeguarding Pakistan’s most vital resource – is being handled with such indifference. Two crucial seats on its five-member board, representing Sindh and the federal government remain vacant. This neglect undermines the authority’s credibility and effectiveness at a time when water governance demands urgency and foresight.
The original vision of rotating the chairmanship among provinces was not only fair but also the most sensible arrangement to ensure trust and balance. Abandoning that principle risks fuelling provincial grievances and intensifying disputes over water distribution. With climate change already straining supplies and amplifying tensions, leaving IRSA half-functional is nothing short of reckless. If Pakistan is to avoid destructive water conflicts, IRSA must be restored to full strength immediately. Anything less is a dangerous gamble with the nation’s future.
Syed Hussein El-Edroos
Islamabad
