Acrimony over the right to Indus water

Punjab’s ambitious Rs211 billion canal project to divert Indus water to Cholistan has reignited longstanding interprovincial tensions, particularly alarming Sindh, which already faces acute water shortages threatening 60 million residents. The project’s ecological risks, including soil salinity and habitat destruction, further deepen opposition. Historically, water disputes in the region trace back to the post-World War I era, involving Punjab, Sindh, Bahawalpur, and Bikaner states under British arbitration. After Partition, these conflicts intensified, culminating in the Indus Waters Treaty (1960), which allocated the three eastern rivers to India, creating a domestic imbalance within Pakistan. The Water Apportionment Accord of 1991 sought to distribute Indus water fairly among provinces, but disparities persist, particularly for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which lacks infrastructure to utilize its full share. Federal commitments, including the CRBC Lift-cum-Gravity Project, remain unfulfilled, exacerbating provincial grievances.

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and constitutional provisions, particularly Article 155, provide legal mechanisms for resolving water disputes. The Council of Common Interests (CCI) acts as the ultimate arbitrator, yet federal reluctance to address provincial concerns perpetuates inequities. While Punjab and Sindh receive the lion’s share of water allocations, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa struggles to use its entitled quota, losing nearly 34% annually due to inadequate infrastructure. This imbalance underscores broader federal-provincial strains, necessitating strict adherence to constitutional principles and cooperative governance. Any unilateral decision on Indus water allocation risks fueling centrifugal tendencies, undermining national cohesion. Upholding federalism is imperative to ensuring equitable resource distribution and maintaining interprovincial harmony.

Overview:

The article explores Pakistan’s historical and ongoing water disputes, focusing on Punjab’s controversial canal project and its implications for Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. It highlights the challenges of water distribution under the 1991 Accord and the role of legal frameworks in dispute resolution.

NOTES:

The Article highlights Pakistan’s longstanding water disputes, particularly focusing on Punjab’s Rs211 billion canal project, which has sparked concerns in Sindh and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Historically, the Indus River has been a source of contention since the post-World War I era, with conflicts intensifying after Partition. The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, divided river rights between India and Pakistan, leaving Pakistan reliant on the Indus system. This led to internal disputes, which the 1991 Water Apportionment Accord aimed to resolve by allocating water among provinces. However, challenges persist, especially for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which lacks the infrastructure to fully utilize its share, losing nearly 34% of its allocated water annually. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and the Council of Common Interests (CCI) play pivotal roles in water regulation, with Article 155 of the Constitution providing a legal framework for resolving disputes. Punjab and Sindh, receiving the largest shares, continue to dominate water allocations, while Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa struggle with underutilization and federal neglect. The article underscores the need for cooperative federalism to address these disparities and prevent political and ecological fallout from unilateral decisions.

Relevant CSS Syllabus Topics:

• Pakistan Affairs (Water disputes, Indus Waters Treaty, federal-provincial relations)
• International Relations (Pakistan-India water sharing)
• Environmental Science (Water management, ecological consequences)
• Governance and Public Administration (Role of federal bodies in resource distribution)

Notes for Beginners:

Water disputes occur when regions or countries argue over shared water sources, like Pakistan and India with the Indus River. Federalism means power is divided between the central government and provinces, ensuring equal distribution of resources. Indus Waters Treaty (1960) divided rivers between Pakistan and India. Pakistan lost control of three eastern rivers, creating internal shortages. Article 155 allows provinces to formally complain if water supply issues affect their population.

Facts and Figures:

• Punjab’s Rs211 billion canal project threatens Sindh’s 60 million residents.
• Indus River originates in Tibet, flowing through Gilgit-Baltistan, KP, Punjab, and Sindh.
• 1960 Indus Waters Treaty allocated Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi to India, increasing Pakistan’s reliance on the Indus system.
• 1991 Water Accord allocated 69.03 km³ (55.94 MAF) to Punjab, 60.17 km³ (48.76 MAF) to Sindh, 7.13 km³ (5.78 MAF) to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and 4.78 km³ (3.87 MAF) to Balochistan.
• Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa loses 34% of its annual water share due to lack of infrastructure.

To wrap up, Pakistan’s water disputes remain a major challenge to federal cohesion. While legal frameworks exist to mediate conflicts, political reluctance and infrastructural gaps continue to widen provincial disparities. Equitable water distribution is vital for maintaining national unity, and unilateral decisions by any province risk deepening interprovincial divides. A cooperative approach, backed by constitutional principles, is the only way forward.

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