The differences between Sindh and Punjab over the distribution of water still remained. Members from Sindh stressed the need for distribution of water as per 1991 Water Accord while Punjab wanted to distribute water as per Three-Tier formula of 2003.
Briefing the parliamentarians, IRSA Chairman Sher Zaman informed that earlier 26 per cent water shortage was estimated for the ongoing Rabi season. However, he said another meeting of advisory committee had to convene due to less water availability and currently 36 per cent water shortage was estimated for the ongoing Rabi season. However, officials of Sindh irrigation department were of the views that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were getting water as per the 1991 accord while water was being distributed in Sindh and Punjab as per Three-Tier formula of 2003.
The IRSA officials told the meeting that had the Sindh has any grievance over water distribution; the issue could be raised in Council of Common Interest (CCI) as per the 1991 Water Accord. Javed Ali Shah said the meeting was convened to address the grievances of the parliamentarians. Member Punjab Rao Irshad Ali said around 139 million acre feet (MAF) average water was available annually in all major rivers. Out of total some 99.5 MAF was utilized while remaining over 30 MAF remained un-utilized. The country could not make progress till construction of more water reservoirs, he added. Meanwhile, the IRSA released 29,100 cusecs water from various rim stations with inflow of 30,400 cusecs. According to the data released by IRSA, water level in the Indus River at Tarbela Dam was 1450.12 feet, which was 70.12 feet higher than its dead level of 1,380 feet.