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Water Issue between Pakistan

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17 views

Water Issue between Pakistan

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caspirant936
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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WATER ISSUE BETWEEN PAKISTAN

& INDIA
1. IWT manages the water management and division between two countries. However,
some problems have started to cause issue in 21st Century.
a. Line of Control issue – Post 1971 War. Water Management has been exacerbated
due to the Dams, barrages, etc.
b. Climate Change & Glacial Melting – Due to this problem, the issue between India
and Pakistan as well as inter-provincial relations are deteriorating.
2. This issue can cause inter-state war as well as disturb internal stability of Pakistan
affecting unity.
3. 2nd Largest Aquifer - Indus River System
a. 90% Water – Food, Agriculture, 65% employment generated in the form of
farming. Pakistan utilizes 47% of the Indus River. While remaining 53% is used
by India, Western Tibet, Afghanistan.
4. Indian Perspective
a. First – Climate Change was not accounted for in 1960s. Thus, we need to
conserve our water and thus our actions of constructing dams, barrages are
justified
b. Second – There is a big issue of Mismanagement in Pakistan as Pakistan waste its
water. So, no problem
5. Pakistan Perspective
a. IWT must be abide by in its true letter and spirit as IWT only focused on the
usage of India.
i. Eastern River – BEAS, SUTLEJ, RAVI – Indian Control. Western Rivers
– INDUS, JEHLUM, CHENAB – Small and Medium Range Dams,
Hydroelectric Generation Projects, Course of the River cannot be changed.
So, this treaty must be abided by in its true letter and spirit.
6. So, what are the developments which have caused Water a major issue in relations?
a. Indian Water Bomb – Massive Projects on Western Rivers
i. Kishanganga Hyrdoelectric Project – 330MW Project. In 2017,
Permanent Court of Arbitration – India must reduce its ponds level by
27%. So, India changed designed and started building tunnels. This again
was violation.
ii. Baglihar Dam – 900MW Project, Pond Size – 32 cubic mm. Both
countries contacted WB appointed experts. These experts advised India to
reduce pond level by 35%. Pakistan went to PCOA – but no response. So,
now silence on the issue.
iii. Ratle Hyrdoelectric Project – 850MW, Pond Size 24 Cubic mm.
Pakistan suggested 8 cubic mm. Even bilateral talks occurred and Pakistan
allowed.
iv. Tulbul Project – Constructed on Wullar Barrage in Kashmir in 1987.
India stopped after Pakistan’s reservation. But in 2014, started again.
7. IWT Suggests
a. First – Bilateral Talks will be held to resolve the issue.
b. Second – World Bank appointed experts’ suggestions
c. Third – Permanent Court of Arbitration
8. Now, it is imperative that both countries must have consensus on second and third point.
On these forum, Pakistan argues
a. Technical Justice - Pakistan is facing water shortage. Kotri Barrage remains dry
for 8-9months. Pakistan has to justify its usage. On average, Pakistan receives
145-150MAF. 24MAF (16MAF in Punjab, 8MAF in Sindh) is stolen with no
official record. India uses this.
9. So, Pakistan fails to effectively contest and it is due to Pakistan doesn’t have international
legal experts. Pakistan needs legal assistance from international forum and due to this, in
2023.
10. Water Diplomacy –
11. So, Pakistan has miserably failed to present its case on international forums.
12. Water issue is also inter-provincial as well. Pre-partition agreement – 30% Water Flow of
Indus River will be given to Sindh and no new canals or linked canals will be established.
It is a fact that Sindh doesn’t receive required water in the agreement. Punjab says that
Government of Punjab which made agreement did not build any canals. From 1955-
1960s – New barrages, Dams, Link Canals – were made by Government of West Pakistan
not Punjab. Sindh argues that it was not consulted during IWT 1960 Treaty neither
Punjab was consulted.
13. These issue disrupt Pakistan’s national unity as well as relations with India.
14. Solution
a. Addressing Water Mismanagement – Pakistan needs to keep its house in order
to justify its claim on international forums.
b. I-Law provisions absence – Thus, it is important that between states,
international law must be there on rivers as law of seas or law of wars etc. So, that
its strict adherence is ensured.

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