Sindh-Punjab Water Dispute: A challenge for Pakistan’s National spirit

Indus River is the main source of water for Pakistan, whose economy heavily relies on agriculture. Indus River System Authority (IRSA) is the main body concerned for the allocation of water to the provinces. The major argument of Punjab is that on average, 35 MAF of water goes waste every year. We can be productively utilize this water to produce grain. Sindh on the other hand contains that this figure is just a mirage. Punjab has progressively and illegally appropriated more water than its legitimate share, greatly damaging the agro-based economy of Sindh, especially in the years of natural shortage.

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Historical Context Of Sindh-Punjab Water Dispute

This dispute is a long-standing issue, and people say it dates back to 1859.The government of British India constituted in 1901, India Irrigation Commission which ordered Punjab to seek permission from Sindh about any project which it may wish to implement with regard to the waters of Indus river system. Sindh was the step-child of the Bombay presidency that’s advanced and prosperous Hindu majority was loath to allow itself to be unduly perturbed by the woes of a far off piece of land, with a backward rural Muslim majority, like Sindh.

The century-and-a-half long illegal, criminal and conspiratorial plunder of Sindh’s share of the Indus Basin Waters, the serious water famine imposed upon Sindh, the ruin of its agro-based economy and the apprehended genocide of Sindhi people

In spite of their obvious imperialist bias in favor of the Punjab, the British did not view the grave injustice being done to Sindh like a spectator, nay, as an undeclared partisan of the aggressive, stronger side, as the pseudo-federal government authorities of Pakistan have been and are doing. In the matter of historic Sindh-Punjab water dispute, the British Indian central government tried to do justice.

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Indus Water Treaty 1960

In order to deal with the matter of fair and equitable division of water assets of undivided India, after the partition of the sub-continent, between the new states of India and Pakistan, each country had to appoint its team of representatives to negotiate a settlement. In view of the above factual and legal position, Pakistan had to appoint a team of negotiators from both of the Pakistani riparians and co-sharers of these waters viz the provinces of West Punjab and Sindh, But the federal government of Pakistan appointed Ministers and Officials of West Punjab only to deal with India.

Thus with a single ruthless stroke of the pen a long historical chapter; that of the tradition of the British imperial rule over India, in which all provinces, had approximately equal rights was to be closed.

Like, the dew on the mountain,
Like the bubble in the fountain,
Thou art gone and gone for ever!

The people of all the smaller/weaker provinces of Pakistan have, through their bitter experience over the last half a century, come to know now, to their great sorrow and pain, that Pakistan state is a democracy and a federation only by name, is being virtually run as one unit and as a colonial autocracy and that where and when, there is any conflict of interests between the vested interests of the neo-colonial masters and their local representatives the ruling classes of the dominant province, on the one hand and those of the people of the rest of the provinces on the other, there and then, the so-called Federal Government of
Pakistan, dominated by what ever civilian or non-civilian sub-servants would, in utter disgard of the common permanent and fundamental interests of all the deprived and oppressed people of the whole country.

Present Issues

Pakistani government argues that the extension of it’s hydropower projects is a necessary step which is an intended nationally determined contribution to climate change mitigation (INDC) as set out in the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC, 2016). Dam construction is a way of controlling floodwaters for disaster risk management and as a way of adapting to climate change, which is a priority given predictions of increasing unpredictable monsoon seasons. Sindh argues that it is already deprived of it’s rightful share of water, the IRSA is politically manipulated by the dominant neo-colonist Punjab. In such circumstances building more hydropower projects on the river will further reduce the water availability in Sindh. Sindhi politicians have been speaking for this issue and have been against the construction of large dams (e.g. Kalabagh Dam). Sindh also blames Punjab of violating the 1991 IRSA Accords but Punjab terms it a baseless accusation.

Dam development has also been debated at the community level. Negative impacts are felt foremost by poorer downstream communities in cities like Karachi, who already lack access to sufficient drinking water. Large landowners downstream may also be affected, and while they may be compensated, some smaller landowners have reportedly felt that they were less likely to receive compensation for the loss of their livelihoods The disparities in the distribution of risks and benefits of dams are reflected in the disputes between communities over their construction.

How to Resolve the issue Of Sindh-Punjab Water Dispute

This time is very crucial for Pakistan. Today Pakistan faces worst form of water scarcity due to climate change and melting glaciers. Immediate steps must be taken. National interest should be the top priority of all parties, following steps can be taken

1. Transparency and Justice : There is a need for transparent and just Water Management System, we need to be regularize IRSA . It should not be influenced by any factor. Sindh must be given it’s due share of Water. Construction of water projects can be done without depriving Sindh of it’s due share. Consensus should be developed for construction of major projects.

2. Inter-provincial Dialogue : Sindh and Punjab should have a provincial dialogue. Both should try to resolve the issue through mutual cooperation and understanding.

3. National Water Policy : Pakistan should develop and implement National Policy for water. Which addresses all the issues of both the parties.

4. Legislative Reforms : Legalisation can be brought in to prevent water theft and illegal allocation. Those found guilty of manipulating the system should be punished.

5. Water Conservation : The Federal Govt. should take measures for water conservation. It should ensure water availability in the country without depriving anyone.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s current policy approach is oriented towards supply-side interventions but does not address the problem of water mismanagement. Sindh-Punjab Dispute reflects how rare is  justice in Pakistan. Steps should be taken and the traditional practice of dominance and manipulating the system should not be practiced further. By adopting transparent policies Pakistan can secure it’s water resources and also solve inter provincial issues and strengthen national spirit.

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