Islamabad [Pakistan], April 10 (ANI): Pakistan Senator and former Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman has raised serious alarms about the unprecedented water crisis in the Indus River system, which is currently experiencing its lowest water levels in over 100 years, Dawn reported.

In a powerful call to action, Senator Rehman, who chairs the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, described the situation as a national emergency, urging the public and political figures not to politicize the issue. She emphasized that the Indus River is "drying up before our eyes" due to a combination of factors, primarily accelerating climate change.

Also Read | Bangladesh Court Issues New Arrest Warrant Against Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Her Daughter in Graft Case.

Highlighting the alarming statistics, Senator Rehman noted that rainfall in the region has decreased by 40 percent, further exacerbating the water shortage. The situation is most critical at the Sukkur Barrage, where water levels have dropped by a staggering 71 percent. Overall, the water supply across all three major barrages is down by 65 percent, a dramatic and concerning decline, as reported by Dawn.

Rehman criticized the current response to the crisis, pointing out that rather than taking steps to conserve the rapidly dwindling water resources, excessive canal extractions are being carried out, which is only depleting the water levels of the Indus further. She called for an immediate and collective national effort to address the crisis, stressing the need for urgent coordination between the provincial governments and the federal authorities to tackle the water shortages.

Also Read | Microsoft Layoffs: Satya Nadella-Led Company To Reportedly Begin New Round of Job Cuts in May 2025; Will Focus on Hiring Engineers.

Reaffirming the Pakistan Peoples Party's (PPP) commitment to safeguarding the rights of citizens, Senator Rehman emphasized that her party would continue to fight for the people's right to access water. She also called on the federal government to declare the water shortage a climate emergency and urged for a prompt meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the worsening water crisis.

Rehman's statements come at a time when the country is facing an unprecedented climate challenge, making it clear that immediate, coordinated action is necessary to ensure the survival and sustainability of the water resources vital for millions of people across Pakistan. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)