The Joy in Punjab
In the province of Punjab, the atmosphere is one of joy as the establishment of new canals has been announced. The air is filled with optimism and hope. The people here are praising this decision taken by the Punjab government, hoping that this will not only benefit the province of Punjab but also bring a much-needed boost to our desperate economy.
The Discontent in Sindh
Just a few miles south, the public emotion could not be more different. Heated winds of despair and frustration are blowing. The people are not only angry at the Punjab government but are also disappointed by the failure of the national government in the allocation of equitable water from the Indus River among all provinces.
Historical Context of the Water Crisis
This crisis is not new; rather, it has served as the bone of contention between the provinces throughout time. The first record of this crisis can be linked to the pre-partition era. According to the Government of India archives, when, in the early 1900s, the British started to expand irrigation in Punjab by building canals in the region, frustrations arose in the southern region of Sindh regarding the distribution of water.
Tensions Escalate with the Indus Basin Irrigation System
The tensions were reinforced when the British started building the infamous Indus Basin Irrigation System, the largest irrigation canal system on the planet. The majority of canal systems were built in Punjab, including the Upper Bari Doab Canal System, the Lower Bari Doab Canal System, and the Sutlej Valley Project, which were built in Punjab in order to irrigate its fertile lands, whereas areas in Sindh were majorly neglected.
Post-Independence Developments
After independence, the number of canals was increased in Punjab, but Sindh only saw minor development of canals in areas along the Indus River, while the rest of the province was neglected.
The Indus Water Treaty and Its Aftermath
The water crisis remained one of the major issues not only among the provinces but also between Pakistan and India, which eventually resulted in the Indus Water Treaty in 1960. After that, Pakistan started building the Mangla Dam (1967) and Tarbela Dam (1976). While these dams have been crucial in benefitting agriculture and hydropower projects in Punjab, Sindh contests that these have affected the water flow to the downstream province of Sindh. In 1991, the matter seemed to have been solved after the Indus Water Accord. It was a major step towards the equitable allocation of water resources among the provinces. It aimed at equitably distributing the 117 million acre-feet (MAF) to all provinces. Its implementation, however, has remained questionable and ineffective.
The Recent Resurfacing of the Dispute
The matter recently resurfaced into the spotlight after the Punjab government announced a major fund of Rs. 211.34 billion to be allotted for two major projects, i.e., the Marot Canal and the Cholistan Canal. The project is expected to be completed by July 2030. Out of the total cost, Rs. 76 billion has been allotted for the Cholistan Canal, while Rs. 47.6 billion has been allotted for the Marot Canal. The rest of the amount would be spent on the construction of the project and building the connecting link canals.
Criticism of the Canal Projects
This project has been criticised heavily within the province. Out of these two, the Cholistan Canal was originally supposed to be a non-perennial canal that would rely on rainwater. But now, after the budget was allocated, it was revealed that it would be a perennial canal, hence operational throughout the year. This has resulted in a unique situation in the province, given the severity of the situation, even for political giants like the Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, who are fierce rivals in national politics. The PPP and PML-N coalition is facing the consequences of this political turmoil.
Political Reactions and Accusations
Last week, during a session of the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman of PPP accused the government of constructing new canals on the Indus River. She argued that this would deprive Sindh of its equitable share of water from the river. Senator Shibli Faraz from PTI expressed support for the PPP’s stance on the issue. It is a clear sign of the gravity of the issue that it is not being used as political propaganda by a party or a campaign by a political leader to gain popularity, but rather is a genuine cry of the Sindhi people for their rights.
On another occasion, Nisar Khuhro, the President of PPP Sindh, has also called out the construction of new canals out of the Indus River as a robbery of Sindh’s equitable right over the Indus water. He has called out the national government for its failure and claimed this construction to be a conspiracy against the Sindhis. He has claimed the construction is not feasible as per the Accord of 1991. Khuhro vowed:
“The people of Sindh will not allow even a drop of their rightful share of water to be stolen.”
Opposition to the Canal Projects
Prior to Khuhro, Sindh’s Minister for Irrigation, Jam Khan Shoro, also opposed the construction of the canals and further opposed the allotment of Rs. 211 billion for the completion of the project by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.
Concerns Over Water Supply
Concerns have also been raised regarding the remodelling of the Qadirabad and Sulemanki to channel Sutlej River water into the Cholistan canals, as well as the Rasul Barrage channels into the Jhelum. It is a concern that this might further hinder the supply of water to the southern province.
Punjab’s Rebuttal
The Punjab side has rebutted the concerns of their counterparts by claiming that the construction of new canals and further irrigation in areas of Cholistan would not deprive Sindh of its water right. As they claim, the recent floods have left them with excessive water to allocate for Cholistan. Furthermore, it is also claimed that after the increased capacity of both the Bhasha and Mohmand dams, more water can be stored, distributed, and utilised by the provinces. The province claimed that no water right of Sindh would be infringed as there is enough water to irrigate Cholistan.
Request for Intervention by the Council of Common Interest
As is also being asked by the Sindhi leaders, the matter should be brought to the Council of Common Interest (CCI), which has previously dealt with the situation on several occasions. As in 1991, the situation was halted by the CCI when the Indus Water Accord 1991 was signed. Similarly, considering the need of the hour, serious action needs to be taken. Compromises should be made by both sides, and the CCI should work on an equitable solution to the ongoing dispute.
Potential Solutions: Amending the Indus Water Accord
Another possible solution can be an amendment to the Indus Water Accord 1991, which will update the accord to the current situation and contemporary factors like global warming and decreased rainfall. Unprecedented melting of glaciers shall also be taken into account. The unilateral talks can only worsen the situation, so it is high time that the stakeholders come to one page regarding the issue and find a solution to the problem through dialogue and consensus before the matter exacerbates.