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Inter Province Water Conflict in Pakistan: Perception and Misperception

Research · December 2020

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.33856.56325

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Inter Province Water Conflict in Pakistan: Perception
and Misperception
 Table of Content
1-Introduction
2-Historical Background
 Accord and agreement’s regarding water distribution
 Tripartite Agreement (1921)
 Indus Discharge Committee (1921)
 SVP inquiry committee (1932)
 Anderson committee (1937)
 Rao commission (1945)
3-Water Distribution
 Indus water treaty 1960
 Akhtar Husain committee 1968
 Fazl e Akbar committee 1970
 Chief justice commission 1977
 Haleem commission 1983
 Water Appointment accord 1991
 Indus river system authority 1993
 Key issues
 Strgity against issues

4- Hydro Politics
 Surface water resources
 Kala Bagh Dam
 Bhasha Dam

5-Water rights
 Punjab
 KPK
 Sindh
 Baluchistan
5- Graphical view of water resources
6-Conclusion and recommendations
ABSTRACT
Water is basic need of life on earth and because of water life is surviving on our planet. To drink
and fulfill our needs of agricultural, industrial and household requirement we need fresh water.
The availability of water in quantity and quality is basic right of every living being on earth and
no one is having right to stop the supply of water because if its happens then footprints of life no
more stands on earth. Because of increasing in population the need of water is also increases. To
fulfill this need water storage plans are designed to store water and to stop the wastage of fresh
water but these storage planning having two sided effects. On one hand these projects are saving
water on the other hand these projects are creating unequal distribution of water from upper
riparian to lower riparian. Like in Pakistan its province Punjab is creating resistance between the
water rights of Sindh as upper riparian and due to this reason the access of water is decreases
enough that human beings are drinking water from droppers and their agriculture land is
destroyed, animals are dying and human beings are also in such condition that they are not
willing to stay alive. This all is happening in Pakistan due to bad polices regarding water
distribution and malfunctioning of government. All provinces are not able to agree on single one
policy regarding water disputes. They all are pointing out each other as guilty for water policy
and distribution. This bad situation regarding water policy is a clear sign of alarming the
changing in water polices regarding rivers, water distribution and their controlling.

1.Introduction

The geographical location of Pakistan is 24 degree latitude to 37 degree North and 61 degree
longitude to 76 degree east. In its surroundings Iran is on west, Afghanistan is on the North
West, Jammu Kashmir is on North East, India is on East, Arabian Sea is on South, USSR is on
North East and on North East the China is located.

Area 307375 square miles or 196.72 million acres occupy by mountain range of Hindu Kush and
Karakorum with glaciers, Suleiman range and Pothohar, desert lands, plain ground and seas.
Expert divided Pakistan in to two hydrological parts. The first one is the Indus Basis and the
second one is the dehydrated area of the Baluchistan. Indus River having many offshoots. The
most important branches is present on its left side is Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers.
Every river having its on braches (Mustafa, 2010). The whole span of this river is 364700 square
miles from which 204300 square miles is occupied by Pakistan which is total 65% area of Indus
river system. The Pakistan lies in climate condition belt in which around all the year production
of agriculture products are possible. The 23 acres must become productive if water assess is
provided to that area.. (KazI, 2001)

The water flow average in 1977 from Kotri was 35 MAF and the estimate of Sindh is 10 MAF
quantity of water enough to flow and even this quantity is decreased to 5 MAF then nothing
happens and so the decision of making dam and water storage planes are made by federal
government. The water distribution issue has great importance. All provinces have their own
particular point of views over this issue. Although the provinces signed “Indus Waters
Apportionment Accord 1991”, but a tussle between Punjab and Sindh is observer. Sindh stance
on this issue that Indus River has not sufficient water to construct and new storage on it. On the
other hand KPK also strongly oppose the construction of new reservoir on Indus River.
According to KPK view that construction of any reservoir on Indus River is harmful for the land
and populated areas. The provincial assemblies of KPK, Sindh and Baluchistan have passed
resolution against the construction of any new reservoir (Kalabagh Dam) on Indus River.
(Vaughn, 2012) (D’Souza, September 6,2003)

Water is base of a sates economy. From history we come to know that all civilized and well
powered states are present at the banks of water. The economy of Pakistan is directly affected by
water decrement. The quantity is not only a point but quality of fresh water is very important.
The rise in then the need of quantity and quality of water rise the competition between inter
provincial level due to decreasing of water flow in rivers and ground level of water. That’s
reason cause the unequal distribution of water among provinces in quality and quantity by
making new reservoirs on rivers. (Litaufam, 28 June 2010. ) (Saleth, 2004) (Water Availibility vs
Population Growth, 2012)

2.Historical Background

Water issues exist all over the world. In sub content this issue was very important. All provinces
wanted their due share of rivers water. Main issues were created on eastern and western water
systems among the upper riparian and lower riparian provinces. (Samad, 2007)

Accord and agreement’s regarding water distribution

All the provinces wanted their right or due share of water. They fought for water to fulfill their
agrarian needs. For this purpose under British administration many agreement were signed
between the provinces. Many commission and committee were formed to resolve the issue.
(Prevenier, 2001)These committees and commission were

1. Tripartite Agreement (1921)

2. Indus Discharge Committee (1921)
3. SVP inquiry committee (1932)
4. Anderson committee (1937)
5. Rao commission (1945)

The Tripartite Agreement (1921)

This agreement was signed in 1921 by three states namely Punjab, Bahawalpur and Bikaner on
the persuasion of the government of India. This agreement was the first ever agreement between
the states of Bahawalpur, Punjab and Bikaner. (Khalid & Bagum , January – June 2013)The need
for this agreement arose because of the conflicting in sharing the waters of river Sutlej and river
bias. Bikaner state was a non-riparian state and did not have water to meet its uses so, it had to
beg state Bahawalpur for acquiring water. But the Bahawalpur state refused to do so saying that
it had insufficient water to meet the needs of Bikaner. Then the tripartite agreement was signed
as a solution to the problem. The basic principal of water universal rights included in this
agreement was following.

1. Use of existing source of water.

2. Equality based distribution of water resources in upper and lower riparian states.
3. Provision and access to water regarding geographical locations. (Rauf, 3 JANUARY
2009)

The Indus Discharge Committee (1921)

The states of Bikaner and Bahawalpur were pleading the government for more water supplies as
their needs were not being fulfilled previously. (WCD, 2000)Moreover, the proposals made by
Punjab were facing objections from the Bombay government. On the opinion of Sindh and
Punjab, the state of London sanctioned for the sukkur barrage and the SVP known as the Sutlej
Valley Project. Due to the petitions made by Sindh and Punjab, the Indian government launched
the Indus discharge committee to monitor the discharge of water by various rivers on the Indus
plains. A network of gauge and discharge observation sites were recommended by the Indian
government to improve the availability of hydrological data on the Indus sites. For the better
keeping of records, many agreements were signed between Sindh and Punjab too. The project of
haveli canal was also proposed by this committee. The point that Punjab should make future
committees keeping in view its impacts on Sindh was also discussed. Also, the two member of
Nicholas trench treaty was signed to study the feasibility of the Bhakra dam in 1930 which was
later passed. (Dixon, 1994)

SVP inquiry committee (1932)

A committee was made in 1932 for the building of new canals and their provision to areas just
because of short fall of water especially in Kharif due to short fall of river stream so that
committee is designed to overcome that type of situation. (Muhammad, 2017)

Anderson committee (1937)

In 1932 the whole project of 4 barrages and 11 canals were completed but after its completion
many difficulties comes in the operation of that system. Bahawalpur, Punjab and Khairpur states
needs more waters for completion of their projects. (Bandaragoda, 1993) For the solution of that
issue in 1935 a common by Indian government is made known as “committee of the central
board of irrigation and distribution of waters of Indus and Tributaries” or Anderson commission.
The 8 experienced experts are also include to solve the matters and issues regarding water in
region. The final report regarding this issue was submitted in 1937 which clarify the projects of
Punjab and Thal. The project of Thal and Kalabagh was started in 1939 but postpone due to the
Second World War. (Habib, Water: issues and Politics in Pakistan, 2005)

Rao commission 1945

When the Indian act of 1935 applied on the whole region then water issues will become a
provincial level subject. (Khalid & Bagum , January – June 2013) Every province having their
own rules and regulation regarding construction of water projects and the one person who having
authority related to water dispute was Governor General but he just having powers to resolve the
conflicts between the one province regarding the other province. (Michel, 1967) In 1941 a
commission was made by Indian government known as “Rao Commission” for the inquiry of
case on water dispute from Sindh government against Punjab government as lower riparian
region. In this commission there were two engineers P.B Hickey and E.H Chaves. The purpose
of this commission was to resolve the issue between Sindh and Punjab. This commission put a
statement after survey that “Punjab should must have to pay for the loss of Sindh due to shortage
of water. But due to certain conditions this is not acceptable by Sindh and Punjab Government so
the open negotiation is take place between the engineers and government of Sindh in 1945 and
finally a draft is signed by both agreement by paying and supporting Sindh financially against of
water consumption dispute. (Glieck, 2006-2007) (“Qureshi pleading India’s case on water issue,
May 02, 2010.) (Memon, An Overview of the History and Impacts of the Water Issue in
Pakistan, 2009)

3.Water distribution

There are two major agreements which are key points of the distribution of water in Pakistan, the
first one is international agreement on Indus water territory with India in 1960 and the second is
national level agreement among the provinces of Pakistan in 1991 (Khalid I. , 2013)s on the
Indus river system known as “Apportionment of waters on Indus river system.” With addition to
these two basic agreements some more agreements was signed due to interprovincial issues
regarding water disputes are enlist following. (Iyer R. , 2008) (Rehman S. , May 17, 2010 )

1. Indus water treaty (1960) 5. Haleem commission (1983)

2. Akhtar Husain committee (1968) 6. Water apportionment accord(1991)
3. Fazl e Akbar committee (1970) 7. Indus river system authority (1993)
4. Chief justice commission (1977)

Indus water treaty (1960)

It was an agreement between Pakistan and India on the sharing of Indus river water by President
of Pakistan Ayub Khan and Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru in Karachi on September
1960. (Rajput, 2011) (Black, 1951)According to this treaty Ravi, Basin and Sutlej three eastern
rivers were given to India and Indus Jhelum and Chenab three western rivers were handed over
to Pakistan. For the transfer of water from eastern to western rivers, two water reservoirs 8 canals
and six barrages would be built in Pakistan for the fulfillment of the supply of the water.
(Gulhati, 1966) (Nawaz & Kokab, 2013)
The construction of Terbela dam in 1979, the annual water extraction was 105 MAF later this
level was deteriorated to around 103 MAF due to carelessness of the concerned authorities. If
the treaty would be implemented, than Pakistan has good control over Indus water. (Wasi, 2009)
(Abbasi A. H., 2012) (Iyer R. R., July 16, 2005)

Akhtar Husain committee (1968)

During one unit scheme the government of West Pakistan made a committee in 1968 was known
as Akhtar Husain committee. (Dutt & Wasson, 4 Sep 2008) This committee submitted his first
report on 1970 June 30 including building of water reservoirs, canals and solution of low water
level in rivers and canals but it was not takes the attention too much because the one unit scheme
was dissolved during this process by division of Pakistan in four units. (Bukhari, 19 September
2011)
Fazl e Akbar committee (1970)

In 1970, 15 October Justice Fazl e Akbar made a committee to resolution of issues as in previous
session of Akhtar Husain Committee. (Dutt & Wasson, 4 Sep 2008) The only difference included
and showed in this committee was the consumption of water in agriculture and on industrial
level. But on the suggestion of this committee report submitted on 1971 no action was taken by
government and no further success will be done regarding the results and conclusion of that
report. (Ali, 2000)

Chief justice commission (1977)

A joint commission containing four chief justice of all provinces and also the chief justice of
Supreme Court M.Yaqoob Ali as a head of commission made by government to solve the water
dissipates and their issues among the provinces in 1977. (Khalid & Bagum , January – June
2013)

Haleem commission (1983)

In 1983 this commission was designed for same purpose of resolution of water dispute among
provinces which is still a conflict and this commission was only manage by president of Pakistan
and present its report in the end of April 1983 in front of president of Pakistan. (Sidique M. ,
2003)

Apportionment of waters on Indus river system (1991)

Many attempts was made by government to solve the problem of water dispute after
independence but no one agreement was successful because no one agree to scarify their rights.
The only one success full step toward the solution regarding water dispute was Rao commission
in which draft of water distribution among the Sindh and Punjab was done. After a long interval
government of Pakistan needs an authenticated agreement to dissolve the interprovincial conflict
regarding water dispute. In 16 March 1991 at Karachi the Chief Ministers and other
representative of four provinces signed an agreement known as “Apportionment of waters on
Indus river system” (Sidique M. H., 2003)Then agreement was forward to the Council of
Common Interest on 21 March 1991.After discussion on the agreement on 16 September 1991
the council suggest that, “The section 14(a) implemented on system for 10 days from Annexure
II on all provinces on trial bases”. (IRSA, 1991) In this accord all provinces was agreed on a
point of making new storage reservoir for water to overcome the future needs of water in
agricultural and development projects. The basic or key issue of that accord was equal
distribution of water in the season of the Rabbi and in the season of Kharif. The important
clauses of this apportionment are given below:

1. An authority for the Indus water river system was made and it includes all four provinces
representative.
2. The suggestion on of water sharing among the provinces.
3. Building of new water storage reservoirs to meet the future needs of agricultural and
industrial development.
4. It suggest the distribution of water in balanced manners among the provinces including
the extra flood water.
5. This agreement is superior then all previous agreements and also included the solutions
of previous agreements for the resolution of water dispute among provinces.
6. The previous use of water from canal system by every region remain same and no
changes was made.
7. The percentage of balance water supply was: Punjab 37% , Baluchistan 12 %, KPK 14%
and Sindh 37% (Ministry of Water & Power (1991), Government of Pakistan, Water
Apportionment Act, Islamabad, 2011)
 Province Rabi Kharif Balancing Average supply

Punjab 18.87 37.07 37 59.54

Baluchistan
1.02 2.85 12 3.87

KPK
2.30 3.48 14 5.78

Sindh
14.8 33.94 37 48.76

Flood system canals 1.20 1.80 3.00

Total 37.01 77.34 100 114.35
The water sharing in MAF for Rabi and Kharif is under with respect to province

(IRSA, 1991)

Indus River System Authority (1993)

An authority by parliament of Pakistan was made in 1993 to rule and regulate and also create
check and balancing in distribution of water among provinces regarding Indus river water system
accord 1991. (IRSA, 1991)

Key Issues

There are many issues today Pakistan is facing as a conflict of inter province water distribution.
But fist we came to know that what are issues how they solve and what is the strategy of
government as solution of this problem today faced by Pakistan. (Falkenmark, ,(May 1990))

1. Trust among provinces (Kishor, 2002)

2. Issues regarding the water distribution act 1991 among provinces
Trust among provinces
Due to lack of faith among the provinces especially in between Punjab and Sind is major issue
and hurdle between constructions of development projects on Indus water river system. Punjab is
upper riparian region and Sindh is lower riparian region. Punjab wants to build projects like Kala
Bagh dam and Great canal; system but Sindh is protest every time against while saying that “we
have less water resources and if the Punjab build any reservoir in his are of influence then we
don’t having even a drop of water to drink”. (Memon, An Overview of the History and Impacts
of the Water Issue in Pakistan , 2009)This is basic conflict among Punjab and Sindh and
government is trying to solve that issue but it still there.

Issues regarding the water distribution accord 1991 among provinces

The second biggest problem arises when the accord of 1991 was signed. Following are the
differences which are base of conflict among provinces.
a) Section 6 (Making extra water storage reservoirs)
b) Section 7 (Minimum quantity of water for down streaming towards sea)
c) Section 14.b (Strategy for share of short fall of water)
Section 6 (Making extra water storage reservoirs)
The most serious issue faced by Pakistan today is the problem of water storage for agriculture.
According to section 6 of accord 1991 the water storage plans for future use of agriculture will
be made according to need anywhere on Indus river system.
The government of Pakistan may think that all the rejected commissions regarding building of
water storages like Bhasha and Kala Bagh dam issue must be resolve but the same thing repeat
this time again that NWFP and Sindh protest against that while saying that “ the agriculture land
of both provinces will be barrel lands if this project continued”. They don’t know about the
ground realties that by building that projects the whole country will be economically
agriculturally and industrially become stronger. Some experts also give their opinion that the
whole conflict is cause by some external countries supporting Sindh and NWFP to disintegrate
Pakistan.
Section 7 (Minimum quantity of water for down streaming towards sea)
The section 7 of accord 1991 is describing the minimum quantity of water escaped from Kotri to
continue the streaming of Indus river system towards sea. The total flow was 35 to 32 MAF
while after research it came to know that only 10 MAF water quantity is enough to continue
water flow streaming toward sea. And from 1947 to up till we are wasting a huge quantity of
water. (Beach, 2000)
Section 14.b (Strategy for share of short fall of water)
This section is explaining the mutual cooperation of division of water among provinces in case
of short fall but when Sindh needs more water at the time of shortage then Punjab will not
willing to share too much water sources because he also already suffering from water shortage in
1994 to 1998. So Sindh again create issues on that without watching and act as blind on ground
realties.

Strgity against issues

The various Strgity to resolve issues regarding conflicts between provinces in accord 1991 are
following:
Mechanism of resolution of conflict
a) Council of common interest
b) Parliamentary committees
c) Interprovincial accords (Kennedy, 1987)
d) Development of flood controlling system
e) Usage of modern technology (Eighteenth Amendment to Constitution of Pakistan, 2010)
Mechanism of resolution of conflict
The preamble by government of Pakistan for the resolution of water conflict between provinces
may be minimize by using two strategy’s
Council of common interest
The two articles of Pakistan constitution clarify the basics of council of common interest its areas
and its function was 153 and 155. (Constitution of Pakistan, 1993) The function of this
committee was to resolve the complaints of central or provincial government regarding water
disputes. Up till now the council of common interest was not in working because its members
wasn’t nominated but according to needs it’s become activated and it also plays an important
role in dissolving the issues of water disputes. (Kugelman, October 2011) (Pakistan, Report of
the National Finance Commission, 1996)
Parliamentary committees
In 1997 this unsolved issue was taken seriously by government of Pakistan and upper and lower
house of parliament decide to resolve that issue on a single platform by inviting technical
experts, engineers and adding political point of view in it to make a strong strategy against the
issues and to legislate on this water conflict among provinces properly. (Pakistan, The Gazette of
Pakistan,An Order further to amend the of Revenues and Grants-in-Aids Order,, 2006)

Interprovincial accords
The agreements for the construction of new storage reservoirs and to get provinces closer to each
other for the resolution of the issues on water. After grate effort the lower riparian regions agree
on the building of new water reservoirs.
Development of flood controlling system
In the rainy season in Pakistan many of the areas damage due to excessive rains and no control of
excessive water. Due to this reason the for the control of excessive after and rain draining system
was made which gives excessive water a safe and proper way and it also stored in small storage
reservoirs which may be used for agricultural development and excessive need of canal water
system to far away regions. (Shah, October 2011) (Fair, 2011)
Usage of modern technology
For the development and improvement in flood irrigation system the modern and advanced
technology for flood irrigation system were introduced which insure the smart precise usage of
fresh water resources with minimum wastage. (Briscoe, 2010)
4- Hydro Politics
Hydrolytic of Pakistan is basically the outcome of issues and conflict regarding water storage
planes, water division plans and water storage planes which means that the hydro politics of
Pakistan is not the output of proper legislation. The projects regarding water storage from many
years are pending due to improper legislation and government corruption. (Akhtar, 2015) (Habib,
(), “Water: issues and Politics in Pakistan, 2005)

Surface water resources

The resource of ground water are rivers of Sutlej, Ravi, Bias, Jhelum, Chenab and Indus. The
whole agricultural, Industrial even domestic levels depend upon the water of rivers to full fill
their needs. According to survey and experts of hydro politics the demand of water is increasing
in Pakistan and the level of water resources decreasing day by day and if till 2025 Pakistan don’t
build any mega project on Indus river system then in results Pakistan faces huge floods from
India in rainy season and shortage of water in remaining season. (Elahance, 1999)The below
table clears the increasing needs of water:
(Khalid & Bagum , January – June 2013)

From above research survey it comes to know that we if we are unable to build new water

Usage levels 2017 2025 Increment in water usage

Agricultural use 100 MAF 128 MAF 28% approximately
Industrial use 2.2 MAF 4.4 MAF 18% approximately
Domestic use 5.5 MAF 12.2 MAF 10% approximately
Average 108 MAF 145 MAF 48% approximately
storage reservoirs then then economy of Pakistan may be disintegrate in just few years and
Pakistan will no more power to survive on the map of world. If the mega projects of Klabagh
dam and Bhasha dam will completed in 5 years to 10 years then Pakistan is able to survive in the
world. (Hynis, 2014) (Ahmad N. , 1993)
Kalabagh Dam
Kalabagh dam was designed on the down river of the terbela dam. The capacity of dam to
generate electricity is 3600 MW. This project was designed by American Typhon Hill in 1956
and reconsidered by Chas .T IN 1966. The project was being handled by WAPDA and its all
stages which could benefit the economy with ease. (M, 1996) (Collier, 2007)s
Pakistan is famous in all over the world for its agricultural land which is containing water supply
from canals and tube wells for 35 million acres land. After the accomplishment of terballa
reservoir no further progress being put forward. To store water and full fill our future needs we
have to build a huge water reservoir storage. Pakistan government built 68 small and medium
dams from the past six years but none of them could generate the power which is enough to
fulfill the needs of Pakistan energy crises. According to chairman of WAPDA the Kala bagh dam
is equal to 750 small dams in storage and electric power generation. Pakistan was newly born
state and don’t having enough sources to build that mega project but the contribution and aids for
mega project enable us to build it. But when all matter done regarding dam construction then
Sindh disagree on its construction. To resolve the issue government of Pakistan build a new
society lead by Senator Nasir A. They analyses the information provided by WAPDA, IRSA and
provincial irrigation department related to reservoir construction. Both the committee suggestion
was same while saying that total 35.2 MAF of left over water is found below Kotri.
Due to so many dispute regarding Kala Bagh dam Pakistan was facing difficulty in solving
conflict. Raja Pervez Ashraf the minister of energ (Abbasi A. a., 2000)y and water named the
project as impractical because resolution was passed against it by three assemblies.
The total estimate for construction of Kala Bagh dam was that,
 Construction will be completed in 2016.
 The job opportunity for public is 35000 approximately
 3600 MW electric power generation. (Haider, 2002) (Feyyaz, 12) ((Editorial), Consensus
on the Kalabagh Dam, 24 April, 1998)
The experts are of opinion that if this dam was built then the wastage of water become near
finishing point and even a single drop of water will be utilize. Nosharah valley is known as
festival valley which is under the threat of flood after 2005 earth quake and the people of that
valley thinks that it’s all about Kala bagh dam construction process. (Ahmad S. , 2004)Another
issue by KPK was that the Punjab is using our place and we know that we get nothing in result of
the construction of Kala Bagh dam. It was considered that the project was not only for the benefit
of the Punjab but it’s for the whole Pakistan. But those countries who wants to vaporize Pakistan
from the map of world they supporting Sindh and Baluchistan liberal agency with billions of
dollars (Arif, 2010) to just create hurdles in its construction and finally by Lahore high court the
orders for postpone of this project was released and the dark era for Pakistan economy starts
from that day. (Ranjan, 2012) (Reporter, 2012, 29th November) (Rizvi, August 05,2001)
((Editorial), “The Kalabagh dam, Another View”, 06 October 2011)
The Diamer bhasha dam
It’s a great dam whose construction is start in 2017 Gilgit Baltistan having height of 272 meters
and the storage is of 6.4 million acres including the power of 4.5GW of hydroelectric generation
of power. The estimated cost of this project is 13.6 billion dollars.
According to experts the retake of money in form of irrigation system is 0.63 billion dollars
annually and from hydroelectric power annually earning retake will be 2.2 billion dollars from
electricity billing and in only 8 years the project returns it’s all coast and expenditures. The time
period for the completion of project is 11 years. (WAPDA, 2017) (Rehman M. u., 2002)
(“Diamer Bhasha Dam, 2012)

5-Water rights
Every province is protesting against its water sources and giving its refrences regarding
agreements and plans of the government. The conflict and point of views with respect to water
strategy of government are following

Baluchistan
The main problem of the development of Baluchistan is the availability of less water. The
annual flow of the system is hardly 3.55 MAF and Indus Water Accord allots 3.87 MAF water.
The available canal facility of Baluchistan is not enough to fulfill the requirement. Agriculture,
mining and domestic needs are fulfill by flood irrigation system, just 3.05 MAF utilized. The Pat
Feeder and Kirthar canals (two of Baluchistan’s canals), take water from Guddu and Sukur
barrages, Sindh generally released less water in to the canals than their due share. As a lower
riparian, Baluchistan alleged that Sindh is not give due right to Baluchistan. (Chaturvedi, 2013)
Punjab
The backbone of the economy of Punjab is agriculture; which is based on irrigation system.
Pakistan gets 80% of agricultural production from Punjab. In Punjab 90%production is derived
from irrigated land. This production provides 70% of export revenues. The irrigation system of
Punjab is the part of Indus Basin system. The Indus and its tributaries form this system. This
system has 25 major canals which take from 13 barrages. (Jhangir, Qurashi, & Ali, 2002) In
Punjab Potohar, cholistan and Dera Ghazi Khan has less water, even they get drinking water
from remote areas. There are many small and large industrial units in Punjab which use 2.2 MAF
water annually. According to 1991 Water Accord 117.35 MAF water will be used but we are just
using 103.73 MAF. In near future the target would not be achieved due to reduction of water
storage of already built dams and no new reservoirs are under construction. The water needs of
Punjab increasing very fast due to rapid increase in population, urbanization and industries. So it
is the need of time that we build new water storages, construct Kala bagh dam as soon as
possible and improve irrigation system to save water which is waste on daily basis. (Talbot, The
Punjabisation of Pakistan: Myth or Reality?” in Jafferlot,Christopphe,Pakistan: Nationlism
Without Nation; ) (Talbot, Punjab Under Colonialism: “Order and Transformation in British
India, 2007) (Goraya, 2009)
Sindh
According to IRSA staff report 2011, Sindh alleged that Punjab has stolen 16000 cusecs water
between Taunsa and Guddu in one week. Sindh argued that it get less water than its proportion of
1991 Water Accord. The water flow is inadequate to meet the requirement for sea intrusion. Now
sea water comes up 100 km in land and it caused increase salivation in agricultural land of lower
Sindh it also effect on ecosystem. The Indus Basin mangroves forest which was world six
largest forest, depends upon supply of fresh water is reduced 38% from 1977 to 1990. Chama-
Jhelum and Tonsa-punjnad are two canals which were built on Indus River for the continue
supply of water when Jhelum and Chenab has water shortage. (Reuest, Lashari, & Memon, 2000)
When Jhelum and Chenab has sufficient water but Sindh has shortage of water at that times these
two canals are operated. Sindh, KPK and Baluchistan has objection over it, these small provinces
already has less shares in river water. Punjab, KPK and Baluchistan get more water than their
share and Sindh get less water. (“Beyond Scarcity: Power,poverty and the global water
crisis”Human Development Repor, 2006) No extra water is available for storage. Extra water is
available only in flood period. If Bhasha, Kala bagh and Akhori dams will be built on Indus
River, they will fill in flood period and it can be used in industry and agriculture when rivers
have less water. Sindh is lower riparian, its water reduces during Kharif due to filling of dams.
Three eastern rivers were given to India according to Indus Water Treaty and canals of Punjab
underprivileged of their natural sources and supplies were made through link canals from
western rivers. Due to operationalization of these canals and storage of Mangla Dam Sindh get
less water. (Water sector investment planning study, Vol.1, Main report, P.3-8, 1990) (Mansur, 6
July 2002) (Punjab-Sindh Water Row” Daily Time, 27 March 2011)
Khybar Pakhtunkhaw
Punjab canals system is 150 years old, KPK alleged that 50% of canal water waste before
reaching the fields. More water is required to bring major change in the field of agriculture.
Canals cannot saved water and water is wasted. There is no tendency to rotate the wasteful
practices in irrigation system. WAPDA hired local consultant which is not up to the mark. Low
spay and corruption is also great problem to attain the goal. In Pakistan total surface water
amount is 142 MAF. 105 MAF is used in wasteful supply based on canal system. 52 MAf is lost
owing to seepage and leakage, so crops need cannot fulfill. 35 MAF is wasted to sea during
flood season. 87 MAF, surface water is loss out of 142 MAF. (Ballard, (Mar 2-9,1991))This
wastage of water can be saved through proper water managements, so about 25 million acres
barren land would be cultivated to fulfill the food needs of the public. The water managements
made by the government are not better for KPK, like construction of Kalabagh dam. Kalabagh
dam is controversial for last 30 years. The site of dam is not good for KPK. It would block the
sub-surface of Peshawar valley and whole valley would be destroyed owing to water logging.
(Malik & Saboor, 2010) (Singh, 2002) (Subramanium, 1 September,2009)
6-Conclusion

The water is not only the basic need of living beings but the social, economic, industrial and
agriculture is also directly related to the usage of water resources and its provision. The lack of
legislation by government, increasing population day by day and to fulfill the future need no
serious step is taken by government with respect to build a reservoir against the resolution of
issue. The government of Pakistan is working for the betterment of water flow system but the all
steps are nit enough that the future of Pakistan look safe. Second thing is that its not a provincial
issue it’s a central government problem to resolve that type of issues which are among the
provinces on need basis.

Today Pakistan is going towards the internal war among provinces due to water conflict and
that’s all about due to emotional leaders which leading nation with no thoughts and logic and
that’s the basic and ground reality why we are going towards death. The national interest will be
destroyed by these type of bad politicians which don’t know about realties and wasting money
and time of public remains for the survival of Pakistan on the map of world.

Recommendations

Instead of fighting and destabilizing the internal peace of Pakistan all the provinces and
government will have to meat at a single platform regarding the issue of water resources because
if this issue become unsolvable than the whole country will be disintegrate may be in few years
only.
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