Claim

Pakistan's newspaper Dawn has claimed that the Rice Canal is receiving only 5,300 cusecs of water against its usual 8,700 cusecs, a 38% shortfall.

“पाकिस्तान का वो अखबार है ना डॉन उसने दावा किया है... राइस नहर में 8700 क्यूसिक के मुकाबले अभी उनको मिल रहा है केवल 5300 क्यूसिक पानी। यानी 38% की कमी है।”

Rationale

Dawn did report in June 2026 that the Rice Canal was receiving 5,300 cusecs against its allocated 8,700 cusecs amid the Sukkur Barrage water crisis, exactly the figures the anchor cited. The precise shortfall is 39.1% rather than 38%, a minor rounding difference that does not change the substance; the attribution to Dawn and the cusec figures are correct as of the July 2, 2026 broadcast.

Evidence

• https://www.dawn.com/news/2006698 Dawn (June 2026) report 'Punjab draws excess water as Sindh and Balochistan face severe shortages' states the Rice Canal was receiving 5,300 cusecs against its 8,700-cusec allocation, a ~39% shortage, matching the anchor's figures ✓ reachable · archived
• https://www.dawn.com/news/2005737 Dawn report 'Irrigation water shortage in Sindh reaches alarming level' on the same Sukkur Barrage right-bank canal crisis affecting the Rice Canal in June 2026 ✓ reachable · archived
• https://aninews.in/news/world/asia/economic-massacre-severe-water-crisis-in-sukkur-barrage-threatens-pakistans-kharif-crops20260607110607/ ANI wire report (June 7, 2026) corroborating the Sukkur Barrage water crisis and Rice Canal shortfall figures reported in Pakistani media ✓ reachable · archived