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WATER CONSTRAINTS, CONFLICTS AND RESPONSE MEASURES
Introduction

1. In the absence of a just and internationally accepted water distribution

mechanism, sharing of common waters is emerging as a leading issue, which
possesses the potential to trigger wars in future. The chances of water based
conflicts are even more pronounced in already volatile regions like South Asia.
These divergences are manifested at interstate and intra-state levels. However,
the scarcity of water resources in some cases has been instrumental in
developing cooperation among states. The Indus Waters Treaty (1960) between
India and Pakistan is one of the few examples in South Asia, of the settlement of
a major river basin conflict.
2. The immediate water shortage crisis in Pakistan is severe, and experts
maintain that the long-term forecast is quite bleak. On one hand it is being
subjected to upper riparian blackmail by India and on the other hand it has
inherited an old water-sharing dispute within its provinces. Unlike many other
disputes, water conflicts are not likely to heal with time, rather these are likely to
intensify because demand of water is rising with passage of time. Pakistan, by
the grace of Allah Almighty, is blessed with countless natural resources, but lacks
the planning to utilize them efficiently which is vital in view of country‘s changing
climatic conditions and increasing population. It is unfortunate that the acuteness
of this problem has not yet been felt in its true intensity, and the requisite planning
has not been done.
3. Aim. To evaluate the existing water resources, constraints,
potential of water based conflicts and their implications with a view to
recommending suitable measures to overcome the problem.
4. Sequence. The sequence is appended below :-

a. Part – I. Gensis

b. Part – II. Potential of Water Based Conflicts and Implications.

c. Part – III. Concls

d. Part – IV. Recommendations.

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PART – I

WATER RESOURCES, FUTURE REQUIREMENTS AND SHORTFALLS

Genesis

6. Pakistan is one of the very few countries in the world whose surface water
resources entirely depend upon one river system - the Indus Basin. The water
from the Indus River and its tributaries support the bulk of the agricultural water
supply for its 220 million people. The water of the Indus Basin rivers had been in
use for irrigation purposes even before the development of the present canal
system. At the time of independence, the boundary line between the two newly
created independent countries was drawn right across the Indus Basin, leaving
Pakistan as the lower riparian. A dispute thus arose between the two countries
regarding the utilization of irrigation water from existing facilities. Negotiations
held under the good offices of the World Bank, culminated in the signing of Indus
Water Treaty in 1960. Indus Water Treaty forms the basis for the water resources
which are available to us.
7. Salient Features of Indus Water Treaty. These are:-

a. Water rights of three Eastern rivers namely Ravi, Sutlej and Beas
were given to India.

b. Water rights of three Western rivers namely Indus, Jhelum and

Chenab were given to Pakistan.

c. Pakistan to meet the requirements of its Eastern river canals from

the Western rivers by constructing replacement works to include
two storage dams, six new barrages, seven new inter-river link
canals, remodelling of two existing barrages and two existing link
canals.

d. The conservation storage of all single purpose and multi-purpose

reservoirs which may be constructed by India will not exceed the
given limits.

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e. Both parties were to regularly exchange flow-data of rivers, canals
and streams.

f. A permanent Indus Water Commission was constituted to resolve

the disputes between the parties. The Treaty sets out the procedure
for settlement of the differences and disputes. It also provides for
settlement of disputes through the International Court of Arbitration.

8. These environments make it imperative to evaluate our existing water

resources, future requirements and shortfalls to set the stage for apposite
evaluation and to recommend workable response options.

PART - II

POTENTIAL OF WATER BASED CONFLICTS AND IMPLICATIONS

9. External Dynamics
a. Violation of Indus Basin Treaty by India. Taking advantage of
the loop holes in the provisions of the treaty, India has already
initiated a number of controversial projects which have far reaching
implications for Pakistan.
b. Economic and Socio-Political Effects Agriculture, which
accounts for almost 40% of Pakistan's GDP, are being affected.
India is using this tool of water regulation for her malicious political
designs against Pakistan.
10. Internal Dynamics
a. Lack of Awareness. Masses are not aware of the
consequences of the growing scarcity of water thus resulting in
water loss.
b. Inter Provincial Discord. Scarcity of water is resulting in
increasing rift between the provinces that are not ready to share the
shortages of water.
c.Under Utilization of Water Potentials. Owing to contradictory views
on construction of water reservoirs and lack of planning we are not
utilising the entire potential of water available to us.

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d.Reduction in Capacity of Existing Reservoirs. Storage capacity of
existing reservoirs is on the decline because of sedimentation thus
adding to the already existing shortage manifold.
e. Poor Management of Irrigation System. Poorly managed
irrigation system is resulting into water losses up to the tune of 60
percent.
f.Economic Effects and Declining Living Standards. Shortage of water
is affecting the economic conditions of masses. Yield and quality of
crops is dropping thereby affecting the overall income of the
farmers.
g.Ecological Refugees. Owing to prevailing drought like conditions in
the country, especially in southern Sindh and Baluchistan many
locals are migrating to Punjab and KP thereby straining the
resources of those areas.
h.Water Recycling. Even most water abundant ctys have adopted the
water recycling mech for efficient water mgmt. In Pakistan there is
no concept of recycling of water.
Concls
11. Fol concls are derived from analysis:-
a. Resolution of water based disputes is a must to avoid any future
conflicts.
b. Water is treated as a valueless commodity which results in wasteful
usage.
c. National lvl discourses must be initiated to resolve inter provincial
resentment on water distr.
d. More sites should be explored for the constr of a network of small
and med dams.
e. New techs should be used for de-sedimentation of already existing
reservoir.
f. Mgmt techniques of irrigation water mgmt being used in the modern
world may be adopted.
g. New farming techniques using min water and giving max yield may
be adopted.
h. Extension of water schemes to drought eff areas.
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i.
Recommendations
12. Regional Level
a. Indus Basin Treaty 1960. Any Indian intentions of modifying or
abrogation of the treaty must be countered firmly. Our diplomatic
efforts should focus on involving international organizations like
World Bank etcetera to avert blackmailing by India.
b. Involvement of World Bank in Monitoring Mechanism of
Western Rivers. Presently the information received by Permanent
Commissioner regarding water flow of western rivers is either
incomplete or late. Pakistan should ask for the involvement of World
Bank to certify the data exchanged by the two countries so as to
check the misappropriations by India on western rivers.
c. Economic Diplomacy. The aspect of economic diplomacy
should be promoted by Pakistan so that Indian economic stakes
might be related to the peace and harmony in the region.
13. National Level
a. Awareness Campaign. General public is unaware of the critical
shortages of water and looming crisis. In this regard few
recommendations are:-
(1) Open seminars and debates should be conducted on issues
of national importance to achieve consensus.
(2) Aspects regarding water awareness should be made part of
the curriculum so as to inculcate the habit of water
conservation in the masses.
(3) Government should promote water awareness through
media so that monetary value of water is well understood by
the masses.
b. Water Apportionment Accord 1991. Water apportionment accord
of 1991, agreed upon by all provinces, should be implemented in its
true letter and spirit. In case of any reservations by the provinces
the matter should be referred to the proposed politico-technical
committee for final verdict which should be binding on all.

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c. New Storages. Considering the technical aspects, completion time
and estimated expenditures, Kalabagh Dam stands out to be the
best available option. However till the time a consensus is reached
on this controversial issue, following steps are recommended to be
taken :-
(1) Feasibility study of major reservoirs like Bhasha and
Katzarah Dams should start immediately.
(2) The construction work on already planned small dams
should be expedited and more sites should be explored for
the construction of a network of small dams.
d. Establishment of Physical Modelling Laboratory. Such
laboratories are of dire need to evaluate the models of proposed
dams and to ascertain the viability of improvement work on existing
structures. The panel recommends that a few such laboratories
should be setup immediately.
e. Management Improvements.
(1) The maintenance of irrigation schemes is very poor due to
lack of interest by the concerned officials. A setup
representing local farmers and district governments should
be formed to monitor the maintenance of canals and water
channels.
(2) Canal lining should be undertaken at the national level
expeditiously. Initially brackish water zones should be
preferred for the project
(3) Ground water potentials are depleting at an alarming rate.
Permission by the concerned department should be made
mandatory for Installation of tube wells and pumps and the
complete data should be documented.
f. Adv Farming Techniques. Modern farming means like sprinkler,
drippers etc which minimize the use of water may be used for
farming. Moreover special treated seeds be used for lesser
consumption of water.
g. Provn of water. Lastly, it is recommended that already agreed
upon water flow of 10 MAF down stream Kotri should be ensured to
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address Indus Delta economy. Extension of canal sys to drought eff
areas to be under taken at pri.
14. Summing Up. Last century has seen an exponential rise in industrial,
agricultural and domestic use of water. Fresh water is rapidly becoming a scarce
commodity due to its extensive demand. Pakistan is already facing water
shortages due to rapid increase in population. Increased food demand
disagreements amongst provinces on water sharing formula and construction of
additional storage reservoirs continue to prevail as sensitive controversies. These
internal dissentions, fuelled by external forces may impinge negatively on internal
cohesion of the country. Water based conflicts will continue to loom over internal
and external security of Pakistan. Sharing of water with India, distribution of water
within provinces and identification of additional water reservoirs needs an
objective study to work out a viable water strategy for serving the best interest in
Pakistan.

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