The inhabitants of the subcontinent rely on the Indus River for their survival. For thousands of years, the Indus has nurtured the people of this land. It has remained an essential part of life, making it crucial to protect this life saving water route. Similarly, in the 21st century water is considered even more important than oil, with many experts predicting that future wars would be fought over water. Unfortunately, South Asia ranked among the most affected by climate change and water scarcity. While the implications of hydrological conflicts in the region can be seen on a larger scale, but the recent decision by the military backed government to introduce corporate farming in the Cholistan desert using Indus water is a betrayal of Sindh, the lower riparian province.
Hydrological war between the South Asian countries like Pakistan and India was predicted by the experts, but the internal water discord in Pakistan is demonstrating another picture of the reality
At one side, we are facing suffering due to the devastating effects of natural course of climate that includes melting of glaciers, droughts and drinking water scarcity. On the other side, diversion of Indus canal water to Punjab province is adding fuel to a fire in already very volatile region. Hydrological war between the south Asian countries like Pakistan and India was predicted by the experts, but the internal water discord in Pakistan is demonstrating another picture of the reality.
A caretaker government is not legally authorized to announce projects which fall within the jurisdiction of elected government
Sindh is an agrarian province dependent on Indus water and it is source of economy and livelihood of the province and Sindh is Agriculture area which solely depends on water to feed its people. Karachi, the hub of industrial centers, is dependent on water to increase production and efficiency. In many areas, the announcement by caretaker government over allocation of land to military for corporate farming was unconstitutional. A caretaker government is not legally authorized to announce projects which fall within the jurisdiction of elected government because the constitutional obligation of a care taker government is to conduct elections alone.
Hence, the federal government has announced new canals on Indus water on Cholistan without consulting the Council of Common Interests regarding corporate farming and share of water from Indus water. Strangely, even the provincial government is silent on the matter to highlight grievances of the people of Sindh because the actions of federal government would affect the social economic and political stability of the province. Nationalist groups of Sindh will instigate and take extremist action against the federal government’s decisions and will create hate behavior against Punjab, the already dominant province of Pakistan.
Potentially, the unfair resource distribution may cause interprovincial tensions and conflicts that could jeopardize the national integrity
This statement is red lines for those who rely heavily on the consumption of water in all forms for various purposes in their daily lives, but more than to the social injustices and economic problems, the Sindh accepted calmness. The water rights of Punjab and Sindh have been granted protection on the affirmed 1991 water accord and international convention. It is now up to the federal government to put its people’s needs first rather than adding to the already existing gap among provinces. All other provinces and Gilgit Baltistan have had their share of disappointment except Punjab, and now it is in the hands of the government to clean the mess rather than make it worse by cutting the basic rights of this region’s dwellers. Potentially, the unfair resource distribution may cause interprovincial tensions and conflicts that could jeopardize the national integrity.
Water distribution should remain administrative and technical and not be politicized or militarily motivated
The government officials must sit in the council of common interests and resolve the Indus water canal issue because Pakistan needs a prosperous Sindh for national stability. Climate change worsens the impact of drying water resources and adds potential threats to the south Asian region, which may face a hydrological war over Indus water distribution; we definitely don’t need internal discord in Pakistan which can be dangerous for our own survival and stability. After all, external actors are always there to sabotage Pakistan and infuse internal discord and national disunity.
The government must protect the water accord of 1991 in disbursing water among provinces to avoid conflict and disparities and to promote equity among the provinces. The water projects initiated after this date should be in compliance with the agreed allocations and provided for in the accords. A neutral independent body should thus be borne to oversee water distribution and mediation in conflicts regarding distribution and transparent economic management of water resources. The Indus water should not be diverted from newer projects without a complete environmental and climate impact assessment on what will be the long-term affects. Water distribution should remain administrative and technical and not be politicized or militarily motivated.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
