Pakistan misleading people on Indus Water Treaty

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Rhetoric grows heated in water dispute between India, Pakistan​

LAHORE, PAKISTAN -- The latest standoff between India and Pakistan features familiar elements: perceived Indian injustices, calls to arms by Pakistani extremists. But this dispute centers on something different: water. Militant organizations traditionally focused on liberating Indian-held Kashmir have adopted water as a rallying cry, accusing India of strangling upstream rivers to desiccate downstream farms in Pakistan's dry agricultural heartland. This spring, a religious leader suspected of links to the 2008 Mumbai attacks led a protest here of thousands of farmers driving tractors and carrying signs warning: "Water Flows or Blood." The cleric, Hafiz Sayeed, recently told worshipers that India was guilty of "water terrorism."

India and Pakistan have pledged to improve relations. But Sayeed's water rhetoric, echoed in shrill headlines on both sides of the border, encapsulates two issues that threaten those fragile peace efforts -- an Indian dam project on the shared Indus River and Pakistan's reluctance to crack down on Sayeed.

It also signals the expanding ambitions of Punjab-based militant groups such as the banned Lashkar-i-Taiba, founded by Sayeed, through an issue that touches millions who live off Pakistan's increasingly arid land.

Pakistan's water supply is dwindling because of climate change, outdated farming techniques and an exploding population. Now Pakistan says India is exacerbating its woes by violating the treaty that for 50 years has governed use of water originating in Kashmir.

India denies the charge, and its ambassador to Pakistan recently called the water theft allegations "preposterous." International water experts say that there is little evidence India is diverting water from Pakistan but that Pakistan is right to feel vulnerable because its water is downstream of India's.

Washington has pressured the two nations to settle their differences. India and Pakistan have fought three major wars, and the conflict has kept much of Pakistan's army focused eastward, not on Islamist insurgents. India wants Pakistan to target India-focused militants, and it is outraged that Sayeed -- whose sermons often call for jihad against India -- remains free. India blamed the Mumbai attacks on Lashkar-i-Taiba. Yet even as the nations' civilian leaders were building bridges, Pakistan's military underscored the perceived Indian threat last month with large-scale military exercises near the border. With the Kashmir liberation struggle waning in Pakistan's public consciousness, some analysts say Sayeed's use of the water issue demonstrates his long-standing links to Pakistan's powerful security establishment, elements of which do not favor peacemaking.

"Hafiz Sayeed is trying to echo the establishment's line," said Rifaat Hussain, a professor of security studies at Qaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad. "The government is trying to shift the focus of Kashmir as part of a jihadist thing . . . to an existential issue."

Hydroelectric projects

Politics aside, experts say, Pakistan's water situation is reaching crisis proportions. As the population has grown over six decades, per-capita water availability has dropped by more than two-thirds. About 90 percent of the water is used for agriculture, making it an economic lifeline but leaving little for human consumption.

Inefficient irrigation and drainage techniques have degraded soil and worsened shortages, forcing many small farmers to pump for groundwater. A severe electricity crisis means most rely on diesel-powered pumps, but fuel prices are rising, said M. Ibrahim Mughal, head of Agri Forum, a farmers' advocacy group.

"You can't do agriculture without water," he said. "What will happen? Hunger."

The Indus Waters Treaty, which India and Pakistan signed in 1960, gave each country unfettered access to three rivers and limited rights to the other nation's rivers. A joint commission oversees the treaty, which water experts say has worked fairly well.

Cooperation has frayed as water has grown scarcer and India has stepped up new hydroelectric projects in Kashmir. Those plans have raised alarm in Pakistan, where newspapers and politicians regularly accuse India of secret designs to weaken its enemy by diverting water. Pakistan's Indus Water Commissioner, Jamaat Ali Shah, said his country believes that one proposed Indian dam on the Kishanganga, an Indus tributary, violates the treaty by making Pakistan's own plans for a hydroelectric project downstream unworkable.

"Candidness and transparency should be there. It is not," Shah said.

In a speech last month, India's ambassador to Pakistan, Sharat Sabharwal, said Pakistan has not detailed its complaints. Pakistan's water problems are attributable to factors including climatic conditions, he said, and blaming India was meant to "inflame public passions."

'Water declaration'

That is exactly what Sayeed is trying to do, according to Yahya Mujahid, a spokesman for the radical cleric's Islamic charity, Jamaat-ud-Dawa. The charity, which the United States and India call a front for Lashkar-i-Taiba, recently sponsored the farmer protest and released a "water declaration" alleging that India had "virtually declared war on Pakistan by unlawfully constructing dams and diverting Pakistani rivers."

Lashkar-i-Taiba has taken its fight against India beyond the disputed terrain of Kashmir to stage attacks in Afghanistan and work with militant organizations in Pakistan's northwest. But Sayeed has typically sought to uphold the group's Kashmir-focused reputation, making water a bit of a departure. Mujahid said Sayeed is helping desperate farmers pressure the government to solve their problems, not inciting jihad. But peace talks are unlikely to help, he said.

The dispute has hard-liners in both countries predicting war, alarming observers who say what should be a technical issue has veered into dangerous terrain.

John Briscoe, a Harvard professor and former World Bank water specialist in Pakistan and India, said allegations of India's "water robbery" are unfounded. But because India could influence river flows into Pakistan, he said, the wisest solution would be for India to initiate talks and perhaps call for a permanent neutral party to implement the treaty.

"On the Indian side, the last thing I would want to come into India-Pakistan relations is an issue as visceral as water," Briscoe said. But, he added, "it's all about politics and political will."

 

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India rubbishes Pak charges on water theft​

Peeved at Pakistan's oft-repeated allegation that it is being deprived of its share of common waters, India on Sunday said such charges were aimed at diverting the attention of their people from their "own inefficient" use of the vital resource.

On the eve of the bilateral talks on water here, India asserted that it has never deprived Pakistan of its share of water, not even during wars and had no intention to do so ever.

"India has no intention of taking away water which may be rightfully theirs...We have demonstrated this even in the past. When relations were at nadir, when we were at war, we did not use water as a weapon to deprive them of their share," Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said.

On Pakistan's charge that India was "stealing" water, he said, "They are diverting the attention of their people from their own inefficient use of water... we have seen this in case of Baglihar (power project)."

His statement comes in the backdrop of Pakistan's threat to move the World Bank for arbitration over Kishenganga power project in Jammu and Kashmir, which it alleges violates the 1960 Indus Water Treaty as water would be diverted.

Pakistan is said to have appointed two arbitrators to contest its case, though it is yet to formally approach the World Bank.

Pakistan is also objecting to construction of two other hydel power projects -- Uri-II and Chutak -- in Jammu and Kashmir.

These issues are expected to come up for discussion during the meeting of Indus Water Commissioners here tomorrow.

Suggesting that India was ready to walk the extra mile, Bansal said, "Our effort will be to sort out the matter through negotiations...be it at a higher level also."

The 240 MW Uri-II hydel power project is being constructed on Jhelum river in Kashmir valley.

The 44 MW Chutak project is being constructed in Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh province and would harness the hydropower potential of Suru river.

The barrage of the project is located near Sarzhe village and the power house is proposed on right bank of river Suru near village Chutak.

Pakistan claims that the construction of the Chutak project would block 35,000-feet per acre water.

India maintains that there is no violation of the treaty and is expected to demonstrate this at the meeting.

Under the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan has exclusive right over three of the common rivers -- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab -- while India has exclusive right over Sutlej, Ravi and Beas.

Pakistan does not have exclusive rights to three western rivers as use of waters of western rivers are clearly defined under the treaty.OTOH India does have exclusive rights to eastern rivers. when journalists would learn even basics of factually correct reporting

 

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India, Pakistan differ on Nimoo Bazgo Project​

India and Pakistan have resolved their differences over three projects that were pending resolution for two years, but the 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo project in Leh remained unresolved with Pakistan hinting at "further action" if India was not able to respond to its concerns. India has said that it will come back with its response in a week.

For the rest, the four-day meeting of the Permanent Indus Water Commission here was described as "positive" by the Pakistan Commissioner, while the Indian side said the talks were "cordial and friendly." The meeting concluded on Wednesday with the finalisation of the record of the meeting.

Pakistan Indus Commissioner Jamait Ali Shah led the Pakistan delegation, while the Indian side was headed by G. Aranganathan.

Glitches were removed in three projects (240 MW Uri-II on Jhelum, 44 MW Chutak on Indus and initial filling of Baglihar dam on Chenab) that were discussed. However, on the 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo project, the Pakistan side raised objections on six counts, mainly on the pondage level and silt flushing outlet."The talks were positive because three project issues could be resolved. In addition, India has agreed to provide flood information data," Mr Shah told The-Hindu before leaving for his country.

He said his side had expressed its concerns on the Nimoo Bazgo project, to which India has said that it would come back in a week. Asked if Pakistan would go in for a neutral expert on this project, as it did for Baglihar dam on the Chenab river in Doda district, he said, "How can I say till I know India's response?"

According to him, providing timely information was important. "If India provides timely information, then things will fall in place and go for resolution. And if information is not provided to us, then India will have to provide it through arbitration. India should not hesitate to provide information, [only] then can there be convergence at the level of the Commission."

India maintained that its initial filling of the Baglihar dam in 2008 was "as per the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty." However, it has given assurance that in future, projects concerns of both the countries would be taken into consideration.

 

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But then neither india nor the world blame other countries for their own mismanagement of water as pakistanis do.

Pak won't object to Indian projects on Indus​

India and Pakistan have made a breakthrough in their discussions on water sharing. The agreement came ahead of visits by Home Minister P Chidambaram to Pakistan this month and Foreign Minister SM Krishna visit next month.
Pakistan's Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamat Ali Shah told CNN-IBN's Suhasini Haidar that Pakistan has decided to withdraw its objections to at least two power projects - the Uri-2 and the Chutak projects, and may withdraw objection to a third, Nimoo Bazgo being developed by India. India, too, has agreed to site visits by the Pakistani team in Leh and Kargil, and has will share flooding information on rivers flowing from India into Pakistan.
Syed Jamat Ali Shah: I think we made progress because we agreed on the design of Uri Hydro Electric Plant subject to information from Indian side, and also on one of the Indus project called Chutak. Similarly for this coming flood season India has agreed to supply information in advance in order to take care of flood forecasting and save life and property from the flood prone areas.

Suhasini Haidar: There is a sense in India that Pakistan's accusations on water sharing have been unfair. That in fact it is even the Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who said that at least 33 per cent of Pakistan's problem with water comes from its own bad use of the water that flows into the country. How do you respond to that sense in India?
Syed Jamat Ali Shah: The management problem is everywhere. It is also in India, it is also in Pakistan, it is all over the world. But the present government has taken several steps, proactively and they have already started Neelam Jalam Hydro Electric Plant. The Bhasha Dam is to be started now. And more than 30 small dams are to be constructed within a few years.

Suhasini Haidar: Do you think the Indus Water Treaty, the water sharing treaty between India and Pakistan themselves are in some trouble. Or do you think you could drive this out?
Syed Jamat Ali Shah: I don't think that because you have rightly said that this treaty actually survived two wars. And if you go through the records of meetings and sight inspection, it means interaction. So there have been more than 200 interactions of the commission since 1960. So I think it is evident that the commission is active. They are doing their function. However, if there are certain issues which are still unresolved endeavour is to be made for its resolution.

 

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India, Pakistan can solve water issues with goodwill: Pakistan PIC Shah​

There is definite water stress in our region so we should work for better water management, conservation and preservation, says Pakistan's top Indus Waters official.

Despite Pakistan raising the pitch on water issues in the past few weeks, this week's meeting of the Permanent Indus Water Commission in New Delhi has been cordial and resolved some pending issues. In an interview with The Hindu on Tuesday, the visiting Pakistan Water Commissioner, Syed Jamait Ali Shah , clarified that Pakistan, in its official capacity, has never made any accusations against India on water sharing and believes all differences of opinion should be settled in a spirit of "cooperation and goodwill." A veteran on the Permanent Indus Water Commission, Mr. Shah is a Masters in Civil Water Engineering and has led the Pakistani side to the talks for almost a decade.

What was the purpose of the latest meeting of the Permanent Indus Water Commission?

The basic purpose of the meeting was to prepare the annual report of the Commission for the year ending March 31, 2010 and also to chalk out the work plan, meetings and site inspections by either side in the future. It was decided that at least one meeting will be held in June-July in Pakistan and if need be, another meeting before next May will be held. Both sides also agreed that Pakistan will conduct a site inspection around August of the two Chutak and Nimoo Bazgo hydro projects in Leh and Kargil.

The meeting also saw India agreeing to provide 24 hours a day advance warning and flood flow information of the Indus river system between July 1 and August 10. Ravi, Satluj and Chenab are the main rivers of concern as they cause considerable havoc during floods.

Were you able to narrow down your differences with India on the three projects under discussion, namely Uri-II (Jhelum), Chutak and Nimoo Bazgo (both on Indus)?

Pakistan had certain objections to the design of the 240-MW Uri-II project on Jhelum which is almost near the Line of Control. Our objections were on the level of the gates and the sedimentation problem, for which we had not received in-depth information from the Indian side. The information tabled in this meeting and examined by the Commission's design engineers stands resolved.

In both Chutak and Nimoo, Pakistan had apprehensions over the design parameters with regard to parapet so that there is no overstorage. India agreed to Pakistan's suggestion of providing openings in the parapet of the Chutak project.

However, in Nimoo Bazgo Pakistan had six concerns on which India did not provide sufficient information. From Pakistan's point of view, some of the components violate the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty and need adjustments. The Indian side assured Pakistan that it will discuss our concerns and objections with relevant high-level experts and higher ups and give its view on the possibility of flexibility in a week. We have not lost hope for amicable resolution at the level of the Commission.

Does that mean Pakistan has withdrawn its objections?

As a matter of fact, no, although in certain quarters it was wrongly reported as such. We have not withdrawn our objections. Our concerns were discussed under Article IX (1) of the Treaty and supported by the information provided by India. And in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, the Commission resolved matters pending for the last couple of years.

Baglihar was not on the agenda, but Pakistan raised it this time. What is the issue there?

When India carried out the initial filling of Baglihar in 2008, Pakistan felt procedures and parameters in the Treaty were not followed. There was reduction of flows in the Chenab near the Marala Headworks. India has assured Pakistan that it will take care of such elements in future and will devise a mechanism which is fool-proof in all future projects. The Indian side also accepted that there was slippage on their part. So differences that were pending resolution were resolved in the same spirit of cooperation and goodwill.

Sometimes questions are raised about the efficacy of the Indus Waters Treaty. What is your view?

The treaty has survived two wars. The Indus Water Commission has interacted more than 200 times since 1960. So this cooperation in letter and in spirit is for the betterment of both countries. We intend to benefit on both sides from the waters of the rivers we share.

Why, then, in recent weeks has Pakistan raised the pitch on water issues?

In its official capacity, Pakistan has never made such an accusation (against India). Even within a country, states have water disputes. When you have international water sharing, such things can happen.

Has Pakistan decided to ask for a court of arbitration on the Kishanganga project on Jhelum?

This project is now out of the purview of the Permanent Indus Commission.


Do you feel climate change is impacting water flow patterns?

Yes. Some regions are experiencing higher flows but in our region it is decreasing, especially during monsoon. There is a definite water stress in our region. So we should fully tap all existing water resources, conserve and preserve water sources on scientific grounds like use of sprinklers, drip irrigation and regulation of domestic water uses. When populations are growing and there is stress on food and fibre, there should be water management, conservation and preservation.

Has the Permanent Indus Water Commission helped matters?

The Commission should have the power or mandate with the help of technical advisors to resolve issues [at its level] and deliver results to the respective Governments instead of looking up to non-technical people.

 

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Clearly, the Pakistani PIC is using this to create an impression that Pakistan had been magnanimous and India did indeed err. This is for a future use against India by demanding India to be magnanimous in turn.

India, Pakistan resolve Baglihar issue​

Gargi Parsai
NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have resolved at the meeting of the Permanent Indus Water Commission here the issue of water flows in the Chenab river being affected during the initial filling of the Baglihar dam in 2008. Pakistan has decided not to raise the matter further.

However, the differences on the design of the 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo hydel project on the Indus river in Leh district remained at the end of the third day of talks here on Tuesday. The matter will be discussed further in the next round of talks to be held in Pakistan this or the next month. "We have resolved the differences on the initial filling of the Baglihar dam (in Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir) in 2008 in a spirit of cooperation and goodwill," Pakistan's Indus Commissioner Jamait Ali Shah, who heads the country's delegation, told The Hindu here in an interview.

He said Pakistan felt the procedures and parameters in the Indus Waters Treaty were not followed during the initial filling of the dam, resulting in reduction of flows in the Chenab near the Marala headworks. However, during the talks, "India gave the assurance that it will be careful in future and Pakistan has accepted that in spirit of cooperation and goodwill."

Sources on the Indian side confirmed that the issue was resolved but asserted that the "filling of the Baglihar dam was in accordance with the treaty and the differences were on the manner in which the water flows were measured." Pakistan's objections had come after a World Bank appointed expert had adjudicated on the dispute between India and Pakistan on the design of the run of the river dam. On the Nimoo Bazgo project, Mr. Shah said his country had objections on six counts. "India said it would come back with requisite information after a week. We hope the matter is resolved amicably in the Commission.''

 

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Pakistan, India close to deal on 2 power projects​

* Jamaat Ali Shah says consensus evolved on 250-MW Uri-II power project coming up on River Jehlum
* Both sides expected to find a solution to controversial Chutak hydroelectric project

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan are close to an agreement on two power projects coming up in Indian-held Kashmir, which have been a major bone of contention between the two countries over the past two years.

Confirming that a consensus had evolved on the 250 megawatts Uri-II power project on Jehlum River, Pakistan Indus Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah told Daily Times that the issue was dealt with in the "spirit of cooperation and as a gesture of goodwill".

Solution: As the 105th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission led by respective Indus commissioners is underway in New Delhi, both sides expect to find a solution to another irritant, the 44MW Chutak hydroelectric project on river Suru (a tributary of Indus) in Kargil district, before they conclude discussions on Wednesday.

India has agreed to permit the Pakistani Commission to undertake two tour inspections to Leh and Kargil in the first week of August.

Further, they also agreed to meet again in July in Lahore.

Commenting on the commission meeting, Jamaat Ali Shah said it was an annual feature to prepare annual reports for the governments. "We also agreed on modalities to exchange advance information on floods and river water flow. We need this information from India to activate our flood information system to save property and lives back in Pakistan," he added.

Following massive floods in Pakistan in 1988, both countries signed an agreement in 1989 to set up an elaborate arrangement for exchanging flood information beyond the Indus Water Treaty.

"We think this cooperation is working very well. But that has to be renewed every year as user agencies need additional information," Shah said.

He said the commission on Monday discussed in detail the controversial power projects – the Uri-II, Chutak and the 45MW Nimoo Bazgo, located about 70 kilometres from Leh in Ladakh region – and Pakistan's objections to these projects.

Shah said they got enough information about the design of Uri-II. "Therefore, a consensus was developed on the basis of information provided by India at the meeting. We have agreed to its design now," Shah said.

He, however, asked India to reciprocate the gesture and goodwill by providing advance and timely information on projects. "We don't want to slow down India's quest for power and development. But we are concerned that they provide us information and design projects as per the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). So far our experience is India is too slow in generating and passing on information, which cause unnecessary delays and problems," the Pakistani commissioner added.

There is a possibility of an agreement on Chutak power project as well, as Shah said they were awaiting some crucial information that India had assured to table in a day. He said his side expected a consensus on the technical aspect of this project as well. However, on Nimoo Bazgo, he said India was yet to allay our objections.

Shah further said he raised the issue of avoiding the recurrence of the incidences like the Baglihar dam filling.

 

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Pak withdraws objection to two J&K power projects​

In a significant development, Pakistan on Monday withdrew its objection to construction of Uri-II and Chutak hydel power projects in Jammu and Kashmir [ Images ].

At the Indus Water Commissioner-level talks in New Delhi [ Images ], the Pakistani side said it had no objection to the designs of the two power projects after the Indian side provided details of these, official sources told PTI.

Pakistan had earlier raised objections over the 240 MW Uri-II project being constructed on Jhelum river in Kashmir Valley and the 44 MW Chutak plant being built on Suru, a tributary of Indus river in Kargil [ Images ] district of Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh province.

Pakistan had claimed that the projects would deprive it of its share of water. The breakthrough came on the first day of three-day Indus Water Commission talks.

The Indian delegation is led by Indus Water Commissioner G Ranganathan while the Pakistani side is headed by his counterpart Syed Jamaat Ali Shah.

This is for the first time that Pakistan has accepted the designs of power projects at the level of Permanent Indus Commission, sources said.

Earlier, it took a ministerial meeting to make Pakistan agree to Salal power project. Under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan has exclusive right over three of the common rivers -- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab -- while India [ Images ] has exclusive right over Sutlej, Ravi and Beas.

The two projects are in an advance stage and are likely to be completed by the end of this year.

Earlier, Baglihar and Kishenganga power projects had been delayed for long because of Pakistani objections.

On the 450-MW Baglihar project, Pakistan had even moved the World Bank, which has the role of neutral arbitrator under the Indus Water Treaty in the disputes between the two countries arising.

The project could go ahead only after the World Bank gave its clearance with suggestions for some minor changes in design of the dam.

Kishenganga project is still under dispute, with Pakistan refusing to give up its objections.

During Monday's talks, India agreed to continue providing Pakistan with advance flood warning for the coming Monsoon season.

India has been providing flood data to Islamabad [ Images ] since 1989 as a goodwill gesture. The flood data enables Pakistan to prepare and reduce damages in case of flash floods.

During the three-day talks, Pakistan is likely to raise certain issues regarding the Baglihar power project and the Nimoo Bazgo project of Jammu and Kashmir.

Baglihar Power Project is a run-of-the-river power project on the Chenab River in the southern Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [ Images ] had dedicated the 450-MW Baglihar hydro electric power project to the nation on October 10, 2008.

"There are some pending issues which Pakistan is likely to raise during the talks," sources said. According to NHPC, the proposed Nimoo Bazgo H E Project is a run-of-the-river scheme to harness the hydropower potential of river Indus in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The project is likely generate 239 Mega Units of power.

 

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India assures Pakistan of addressing 'legitimate' water concerns​

* Indian minister says New Delhi has no intention of taking away Pakistan's water

By Iftikhar Gilani

NEW DELHI: India on Sunday assured Pakistan of taking care of the country's "legitimate" concerns on water, as both countries began a four-day joint meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC). India's Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters on the eve of deliberations that New Delhi had no intention to deprive Pakistan of its share of water.

"We never deprived them of water, not even during wars and have no intention to do so ever," he said.

A nine-member Pakistan delegation led by Indus Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah began talks on Sunday with the Indian Commission headed by G Aringanathan.

The annual Indus Commission talks will exchange technical data on river flow, besides devising mechanism to exchange advance flood information during the monsoon season.

Water Resources Minister Bansal claimed water woes in Pakistan were more due to its internal mismanagement and called for an end to blaming India for water theft.

Intention: "India has no intention of taking away water which may be rightfully theirs...we have demonstrated this even in the past. When relations were at nadir, when we were at war, we did not use water as a weapon to deprive them of their share," he said.

The minister further said India "sets up a control room round-the-clock in the Indus Wing of the Ministry of Water Resources to share water flow data with their counterparts in Pakistan". Bansal said the data was being exchanged as part of "goodwill gestures" and on humanitarian grounds.

"No costs are being charged to Pakistan for the collection and transmission of this data," he added.

Commenting on Pakistan's charge that India was "stealing" water, he said, "They are diverting the attention of their people from their own inefficient use of water... we have seen this in case of the Baglihar (power project)."

Suggesting that India was ready to walk the extra mile, Bansal said, "Our effort will be to sort out the matter through negotiations...be it at a higher level."

Pakistan has of late raised concerns at the construction of two more hydel power units, the Uri-II and Chutak projects. The 240 megawatts Uri-II hydel power project is being constructed on Jhelum river in the Kashmir valley.

Meanwhile, despite Pakistan's protests, India's National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) has said it was fast-tracking the 330MW Kishanganga project. It will be now completed by 2015, ahead of the January 2016 target.

"We have already spent Rs 300 crore on the project and work is going on in full swing. We are getting the tunnel boring machine from Italy and expect the project not to face any delays," an NHPC official said.

 

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Indo-Pak water talks end; three projects resolved

New Delhi: The three-day Indo-Pak talks on water ended on Wednesday with the two sides addressing contentious issues relating to three power projects being constructed in Jammu and Kashmir, but matters related to one still remained unresolved.

The two sides signed minutes of the meeting between the Indus Water Commissioners as also those of the meeting held in Lahore in March when they had disagreed on a number of issues.

During the talks between Indus Water Commissioner G Ranganathan and his counterpart Jamaat Ali Shah, India agreed to provide advance flood warning to Pakistan for the coming Monsoon season, continuing with the practice since 1989.

The annual report and the action plan of the Permanent Indus Commission were also approved during the meeting, Secretary (Water Resources) U N Panjiar said.

The two sides failed to resolve issues related to the Nimoo Bazgo hydel power project in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir and decided to hold further discussions during the next round of talks.

Pakistan has certain objections on ponderage and silt levels of the project which would be generating 239 Million Units of power.

However, India insists that it is a run-of-the-river project.

The three power projects on which differences were resolved are Baglihar, Uri II and Chutak as Pakistan gave up its objections on these.

Pakistan had raised objections over the initial filling of Baglihar dam in Jammu and Kashmir.

Islamabad had claimed it was not getting 55,000 cusecs of water at Magrala when India filled up the dam commissioned in October, 2008. India had contented that water as per the 1960 Indus Water Treaty was being provided to Pakistan.

After the discussions, it was satisfied and decided not to raise the matter further.

Panjiar said India would keep in mind the concerns of Pakistan while filling up the dam and would continue to do that in future.

Earlier, it had taken the issue related to Baglihar to the World Bank, which is neutral arbitrator under the Indo-Pak Indus Water Treaty of 1960. It gave verdict in favour of India in February 2007.

Pakistan had also raised objections over the 240 MW Uri-II project being constructed on Jhelum river in Kashmir Valley and the 44 MW Chutak plant being built on Suru, a tributary of Indus river in Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir's Ladakh province.

Pakistan had claimed that the projects would deprive it of its share of water.

However, it withdrew its objections on the first day of the talks on Monday, marking the first time that Pakistan has accepted the designs of power projects at the level of Indus Water Commission.

The two projects are in an advance stage and are likely to be completed by the end of this year.

Earlier, it took a ministerial meeting to make Pakistan agree to Salal power project.

Under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan has exclusive right over three of the common rivers -- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab -- while India has exclusive right over Sutlej, Ravi and Beas.

http://www.zeenews.com/news631125.html

 

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BACK TO MISLEADING

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect...-india+violating+indus+water+treaty+fo--bi-06

India violating Indus water treaty

ISLAMABAD: India is committing severe violation of the Indus water treaty, stated the Foreign Office Spokesman, Abdul Basit in a weekly briefing on Thursday.



Pakistan had not received any details of the recent meeting of the Indus water commissioner and it still held reservations about Indo-Pak water issue, he added.



He further said that there were differences between Islamabad and Washington over the drone attacks.



An inquiry commission had been formed by United Nation's Human Rights council on Pakistan's request about Israeli aggression on the Freedom Flotilla. The commission will start its investigation soon, Basit stated.



Answering a question about the Pakistan-India dialogue, he said that both nations still felt a lack of trust but Pakistan hoped peace could be fostered in the region.—DawnNews

 

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^^shooting from mouth.all hot air as usual for the pakistani public. Does india care if they dont get water or if they get drown in Hunza lake.

 

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Water team returns from India 'dissatisfied'

LAHORE: The Pakistani team of the Indus Water Commission (IWC) returned from New Delhi on Wednesday 'dissatisfied' with the information provided to it by the Indian team about controversial constructions on rivers given to Pakistan under the Indus Basin Treaty.

Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah told reporters here that the Indian side did not provide the required details about Kishen Ganga and other dams being built on the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus without taking into consideration Islamabad's objections to the projects.

He said if India did not comply with the regulations of the water treaty, Pakistan might move the international arbitrary court.

He developed serious case of indigestion after the info was given. Just contrast his interview given to The Hindu.

He says

In its official capacity, Pakistan has never made such an accusation (against India).

Here also he is , not making any accusation, its plain threat, who bothers.
IWT provides standard templates for information to be provided and they have not exactly come out in what way information was deficient in terms of IWT. That's why they are indulging in vaguespeaks only

 

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Futile water wars​

Pak will achieve nothing with its anti-India campaign on water
Business Standard / New Delhi June 07, 2010, 0:04 IST
As was to be expected, the three-day Indo-Pak water talks in New Delhi last week failed to deliver any positive outcome. Pakistan had raised the pitch on the water issue in recent months, and it was not about to lower it after a routine meeting of the Permanent Indus Water Commission. Admittedly, the Pakistan delegation when in India did indicate a mellowing of its objections to some of the proposed hydro-power projects in Jammu and Kashmir. But, once back home, it harped again on alleged non-compliance by India with the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. It is also apparent that Pakistan has not learnt any lessons from the dispute over the Baglihar project, on which it sought neutral arbitration but received an adverse verdict. Otherwise, it would not have threatened to move for international arbitration on other projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from the Kishenganga project, these include the 240 Mw Uri II project on the Jhelum and the Chutak and Nimoo Bazgo projects on tributaries of the Indus. All these are run-of-the river projects (i.e. without involving storage or diversion of water), in advanced stages of implementation.

The Indus treaty allows India to create water storage capacity of 3.6 million acre feet (MAF) on the three west-flowing rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — allocated to Pakistan. India has so far not built even a fraction of this storage. Also, much of the permitted 1.34 million acres of irrigation capacity is yet to be tapped. If any country has the right to complain, it should be India because the Indus treaty was based on the fundamentally flawed premise of dividing the rivers between the two countries, rather than distributing their waters. The three rivers given to Pakistan accounted for nearly 80 per cent of the total annual water flows of all the six rivers emanating from the Kashmir region and flowing to different parts of the sub-continent. India on its part has made this imbalance worse by failing to create the capacity to use or store the waters in the rivers allotted to it, so that Pakistan is also receiving the surplus flows of water in the three eastern rivers allocated exclusively to India.Pakistan has mismanaged its water economy even more than India. It receives an annual average of 139 MAF of water, which should be enough to meet its genuine needs. But its lower riparian state, Sindh, is deprived of adequate water due largely to the usurping of a larger-than-due share of water by the politically and militarily dominant state of Punjab. There is also mismanagement of water in Pakistan's extensive but dilapidated canal network. Pakistan needs to realise, therefore, that escalation of tension with India on the water issue will achieve nothing, and could even prove counter-productive.

 

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Ebb and flow​

''A bilateral resolution is the best way.''

It is rare to see India and Pakistan amicably resolving their disputes, but the three-day meeting of the Permanent Indus Water Commission last week stood out for its success in addressing some contentious issues about the the flow of water from India to Pakistan.

The complaints were from Pakistan and most of them were resolved to the satisfaction of both sides. The disputes which were resolved related to India's Baglihar dam and the Uri-II and Chutak projects. Pakistan had lost its case over Baglihar in the World Bank, which is the adjudicating authority under the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, when the bank's neutral authority upheld the Indian position. After that no substantial issue of dispute remained. The Indian designs of Uri-II and Chutak projects were accepted by Pakistan after explanations from the Indian side. What remained unresolved on the agenda was the difference over the design of the Nomoo Bazgo project on the Indus in Leh. If the trend of talks is an indication, it can be resolved at the meeting to be held later this month or next month.

The Indus Water Treaty has provided a good basis for resolving disputes between the two countries. Though questions have been raised about the rationale of allocating rivers instead of water between the countries, the treaty has stood the test of time till now. Under it the three west-flowing rivers — Indus, Chenab and Jhelum — were allocated to Pakistan and the three east-flowing rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutluj — were allocated to India. There is a view in India that New Delhi should demand a review of the treaty as it does not take into consideration the quantum of water flow or the requirements of the command areas. But this does not seem to be possible and even necessary, and might only add to acrimony.

The main water dispute which needs to be resolved is the one over Kishanganga. Pakistan has objected to this power project on the Jhelum in the Jammu region on the argument that the power plant will obstruct the flow of water to that country. The argument is not tenable after India changed the original design and made it a run-of the river project. It is possible that there may be adjudication on the dispute as in the case of the Baglihar dam. A bilateral resolution is the best way, though the Indus Water Commission feels that the dispute is not within its jurisdiction.

 

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Inexplicable that against the backdrop of a fiscal year gone by (2009-2010) marked by a substantial amount of raving and ranting by the Pakistan that they have suffered a shortage of water as India is depriving them of the same, there is very little they proposes to do in the immediate future to help itself and mitigate the impact of reduced water availability.Indeed far from increasing funding for resolving water related issues, Pakistan is actually cutting back on future funding .Meanwhile there is no mention that funds have been allocated in the 2010-2011 budget for the Neelum-Jhelum project the supposed existence of which numbers among one of the claims made by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to show prior Pakistani use of waters and thus scuttle India's Kishanganga Project.

Allocation for water sector down by 39.85%​

ISLAMABAD: Federal Cabinet has approved Rs 28.423 billion for water sector in its budget approval meeting for Public Sector Development Programme of the upcoming budgeted year 2010-11.

Due to crucial financial constraints, 39.85 percent less allocation has been made in development budget for financial year (FY) 2010-11 for water sector and Rs 22.883 billion has been allocated for 64 ongoing projects regarding water sector - showing a 44.38 percent decrease. 22 new schemes would be launched in upcoming fiscal year 2010-11 under PSDP programme and total allocation for these new projects is Rs 5.540 billion, showing 9.25 percent decrease in allocation in development budget 2010-11.

In Budget 2010-11, Rs 2.469 billion has allocated for raising of Mangla Dam including resettlement, Rs 82.311 million for Mirani dam, Rs 164.622 million for Satpara Multipurpose Dam, Rs 82.311 million for Sabkzai Dam project, Rs 823.109 million for Gomal Zam Dam, Rs 200 million for Greater Than canal (Phase-1), Rs 2.263 billion for Kachhi Canal (Phase-1), Rs 1.811 billion for Rainee Canal (Phase-1), Rs 658.487 million for Lower Indus Right Bank Irrigation & Drainage Sindh, Rs 411.555 million for Balochistan Effluent Disposal into RBOD, Rs 1.086 billion for revamping/rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage system of Sindh, Rs 2.469 billion for Extension of the Right Bank Outfall Drain from Sehwan to sea in Dadu and Thatta District of Sindh, and Rs 411.555 million has allocated for extension of Pat Feeder Canal for utilization of Indus Water in Balochistan, in budget 2010-11.

As such, Rs 205.777 million has been allocated for lining of irrigation channels in Khyber Pakhtonkhawa, Rs 139.929 million for rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtonkhawa, Rs 400 million for Bazai irrigation scheme in Khyber Pakhtonkhawa, Rs 246.933 million for Construction of Pali/Kundal Dam in Khyber Pakhtonkhawa, Rs 411.555 million for Construction of small storage dams, delay action dams, retention weirs and ISSO Barriers in Sindh, Rs 65.849 million for Mangla Water Shed Management in Azad Jamu Kashmir, Rs 411.555 million for 6 flood disposal structures along with conveyance system on Nari River in district Bolan, Rs 340.798 million for Re-construction of Shadi Kour Dam in district Gawadar, Rs 740.798 million for Normal annual development programme (Emergent Flood Schemes), Rs 246.933 million for Flood Management of Takhta Baig Khawar in District Peshawar, Rs 14.816 million for construction of Indus River System Authority (IRSA) office building, Rs 842.600 million for construction of Winder Dam, Lasbela Balochistan, Rs382 million for construction of Ghabir Dam in Chakwal Punjab, Rs 1.235 billion for Darwat Dam, Jamshoro Sindh, Rs 246.933 million for construction of 100 Delay Action Dams in Balochistan, Rs 426.555 for construction of 20 small dams in Khyber Pakhtonkhawa, while Rs 246.933 has allocated for construction of Diversion Weir for Kabul River in Budget 2010-11. Twenty-two new water schemes have been introduced for FY 2010-11 and Rs 5.540 billion has allocated for these schemes in Budget 2010-11.

Rs 246.933 million has been allocated for construction of 100 small dams in Balochistan province (Package-II, 25 dams), Rs 958.009 million for Nailing Storage Dam, Jhal Magsi Balochistan, Rs 246.933 million for construction of Pelar Dam, Awarn Balochistan, Rs 800 million for construction of Nai Gaj Dam in Dadu Sindh, Rs 658.487 million for construction of Bara Dam, Khyber Agency FATA, Rs 576.176 million for Kurram Tangi Dam, North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtonkhawa, Rs 82.311 million for Makhi Farash Link Canal Project (Chotiari Phase-II), Including feasibility study (Thar Coal), Rs 411.555 million for CRBC 1st Lift cum Gravity Project D.I.Khan, Rs 823.109 million for construction of 8 small dams/medium dams in Khyber Pakhtunkhaw, Rs 41.155 million for Sita Dam project Qambar Shahdad Kot Sindh and Rs 41.155 has allocated for construction of Kot Fateh Khan Dam in Budget 2010-11.

Similarly, Rs 41.155 million has allocated for construction of Darban Dam in D.I.Khan, Rs 8.231 million for Lining of Rohri, Dadu Rice & Nara Canals, Rs 46.933 million for construction of Hingol Dam, Rs 8.231 million for Installation of Effluent Treatment Plant RBOD, Rs 8.231 million for Chashma Right Bank Canal Additional Works, Rs 8.231 million for rehabilitation of scrap tube wells and drainage system LBOD Nawabshah, Rs 8.231 million for research studies on drainage, land reclamation, water management & use of drainage water, Rs 8.231 million for Indus 21 water sector capacity building & advisory services, Rs 8.231 million for consultancy services for surveys, investigations, detailed design and PC-1 of seven small/medium dams in Sindh province, Rs 8.231 million for construction of Flood Protection River Kech in district Kech and Rs 500 million has been allocated for construction of Khanki Barrage in development Budget 2010-11.

 

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The issue now is pollution by India of the Pakistani rivers​

India and Pakistan are usually bickering over the quantity of water received from Kashmir rivers, however they will soon have to lock horns on the issue of quality of this water as well, as a team of experts has found proof that a major lake that supplies water to the River Jehlum is becoming more and more contaminated.

A survey carried out by a non-government organisation (NGO) in Indian-held Kashmir's (IHK) Wullar Lake has found large quantities of deadly methane gas in the reservoir.

Experts from the Kashmir Environmental Protection Coordination Organisation (KEPCO) also found high levels of chemicals in the River Jehlum due to the flow of millions of tonnes of solid waste, garbage and sewage into the river.

Wullar Lake, which was once Asia's largest fresh water reservoir, is situated between Sopore and Bandipura, and is considered the "water-bank" for the Pakistani Punjab, as it supplies water to the River Jehlum.

KEPCO Spokesman Dr Taha Mubashir told reporters in Srinagar that his team had found gas bubbles catching fire as they rose from the lake in many places.

Earlier, local fishermen had informed the NGO about the gas bubbling up from the lake. "In the past, the bubbles would emanate from just one spot, however lately they have been seen in many places," said Mubashir.

While some experts believe the gas is produced by normal biological processes, others point out that it is a sign of rising contamination levels. They have accused authorities of ignoring the lake, which is a vital source of water supply for the Mangla Dam.

A few years ago, a similar report prepared by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) had highlighted sedimentation, sewage disposal and excessive willow plantation in the area. The report warned that due to these activities, the lake's ecosystem had entered a dangerous phase, as it stimulated the growth of aquatic plants that reduced oxygen levels in the water.

Lake shrinking: Though the Wetland Directory published by the Indian government puts the lake area at 189 square kilometres, the Survey of India maps show its area at no more than 58.7 square kilometres. The state revenue records, however put the lake's area at 130 square kilometres, of which around 60 square kilometres is under agricultural use. Experts, however, believe the lake has shrunk from the original area of 200 square kilometres to barely 24 square kilometres now.

Moreover, a scientific study on the River Jehlum has found its waters turning more and more acidic. According to the study, there is gradual increase of sodium and potassium, sulphates, nitrates, nitrogen containing substances, and iron in water as it moves downstream, but at the same time massive depletion of essential chlorides.

Experts maintain this is a result of the millions of tonnes of solid waste, municipal garbage, sewage from human settlements that flows into the river daily.

A research scholar at Department of Environmental Sciences at University of Kashmir has found that 525 to 575 cubic metres of solid waste from Srinagar is drained into the river.

While, a survey conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir State Pollution Control Board (JKPCB) had earlier also found high levels of chemical oxygen demand in the River Jehlum.

 

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^^^^Wullar lake which provides water to jhelum river in pakistan has diminished a lot overtime.Thats the other purpose of kishenganga dam india wants to divert jhelum waters to wullar lake to recharge it there by bringing it to life again.For that lake has to have gated outflow design.Its only for navigational purpose which is allowed under IWT.Now pakistan disputes that gated design on wullar lake allows india to control water flow to pakistan jhelum river hence the are complaining about kishenganga project and planning to take it to court of arbitration like baglihar case which they lost.Even for baglihar they protested about gated spillway (the purpose of which was to control silt into the dam,,,IIRC pakistan's Tarbela and mangla suffers from silt from reducing its water holding capacity due to its old design).so now they are complaining about pollution .they can't ve their cake and eat it too.either allow kishenganga or they must stop complaining about pollution.

second mistake pakistan commonly does is by misleading its people that whole of western river(chenab,jhelum,indus) waters is its.but its no so according to IWT idnia has its own share of storage,for domestic and agriculture use and for navigational use on western rivers.BTW IWT allows whole share of eastern rivers(sutlej,ravi,vyas) waters to india.pakistan has no rights over eastern rivers waters.Thats indian leadership foolishness that they have not constructed enough storage and diversion canals on eastern rivers so for the past 60 years 3MAF of water goes to pakistan from eastern rivers every year.

IWT is 80:20 in favor of pakistan ie pakistan gets 80% of indus basin waters while india gets 20% only even in its 20% share india doesn't use it fully rest of the water flows to pakistan.You can call this as stupidity of all the indian leadership from past that it has allowed pakistan to created unjust water problem due to it pandering to pakistan under various peace processes like Lahore declaration or Aman ki asha tamasha,india always give into pakistan's tantrums like they 've recently suffered on two dams.

 

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Wrt pollution in river water Here is what the IWT states in Article IV:

(10) Each Party declares its intention to prevent, as far as practicable undue pollution of the waters of the Rivers which might affect adversely uses similar in nature to those to which the waters were put on the Effective Date, and agrees to take all reasonable measures to ensure that, before any sewage or industrial waste is allowed to flow into the Rivers, it will be treated., where necessary, in such manner as not materially to affect those uses : Provided that the criterion of reasonableness shall be the customary practice in similar situations on the Rivers.

While pollution *must* be tackled, it is strange that Pakistan which has one of the most polluted set of waterbodies in Asia, leading to various diseases such as Hepatitis, gastroenteritis on a very large scale, is raising this issue without taking any action at all within its country to control pollution.

 

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Resolving the water crisis​

Friday, June 11, 2010
Humayun Akhtar Khan

In the early 1960s, the water table had risen to surface level in many areas of Pakistan, causing water logging and salinity. The government countered the menace by increasing the use of groundwater through tube wells. Pakistan is threatened by a water crisis once again, this time in a different sense.

One of the most water-stressed countries in the world, Pakistan faces a situation threatening to into grave water shortage. Direct rainfall contributes less than 15 per cent of supply of water to crops. Of the cultivatable areas of almost 77 million acres (MA), only 36 MA are canal-irrigated. Pakistan has the additional potential of bringing about 22.5 MA of fallow land under irrigation.

An average of 35.2 million acre feet (MAF) of water escapes beyond Kotri every year, mostly in the rainy season. With their flow patterns variable, Pakistan's rivers have higher discharges in summer and lower discharges in winter. Pakistan's dependence on a single river system means that it has fewer choices than countries with a multiplicity of water sources. Therefore, construction of additional water storage facilities is critical for the conservation and utilisation of water.

By 2013, Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma, which are rapidly losing their storage capacities because of sedimentation, will have lost almost one-third of their original potentials. This virtually means loss of one mega-reservoir. Creation of more reservoirs is an absolute essential also if Pakistan is to meet the additional allocations required under the 1991 Water Accord between the provinces.

Groundwater, which now accounts for almost half of all our irrigation requirements, is now overexploited in many areas and its quality is deteriorating. There is an urgent need to develop policies and approaches for bringing water withdrawal into balance with recharge.

Climate change is affecting the western Himalayas more seriously than the other mountain systems of the world. In the next few decades, global warming will increase river flows. These, together with more rainfall, are going to worsen the problems of flooding and drainage, particularly in Sindh. Then, after the glaciers have melted, there are likely to be serious decreases in river flows.

Pakistan has invested massively in its water infrastructure, which is crumbling because there was little investment in its maintenance. Apart from what the taxpayer contributes, development money is scarce because users of canal water pay a very small portion of the cost involved in the infrastructure being kept in a good state of repair.

The solution to Pakistan's water problems has two aspects: how the country can utilise its own potential, and how its potential can be affected by India.

In accordance with the Indus Water Treaty between Pakistan and India in 1960 under the auspices of the World Bank, Pakistan receives unrestricted use of the western rivers: Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. India was allowed exclusive rights to use the waters of the Ravi, Sutlej and Bias. The replacement works required by Pakistan as a result of this treaty involved two major dams, five barrages and eight link canals.

However, the treaty also allows India to tap the hydroelectric power potential of the Chenab and Jhelum rivers before they enter Pakistan, with the stipulation that the quantity of water reaching Pakistan, and the natural timing of the inflow, not be affected. Timing is an important issue because Pakistan's agriculture depends also on the water's availability during the sowing season.

One of the treaty restrictions on India is the limit on the amount of storage for its hydroelectric projects on the Chenab and Jhelum, and the amount is an element which can affect the timing of the rivers' flow into Pakistan. The restriction is losing its significance as a result of Baghliar Dam.

The treaty restriction on storage also required that India not build gates for flushing silt out of its dams. This meant that any Indian dam on the Chenab and the Jhelum rapidly fills with silt. India used this feature as an argument in favour of Baghliar Dam before the Neutral Expert appointed by the World Bank. Deciding in favour of Pakistan on three issues, the Neutral Expert ruled in favour of India on the fourth: building of gates. Pakistan is thus left without a mechanism for protection against manipulation of flows by India. When India chose to fill Baghliar it did that exactly at a time when the filling caused the maximum damage to Pakistani farmers.

Baghliar is not the only dam India has built on Chenab and Jhelum. India has commissioned 11 projects on the Chenab and is considering 74 projects on the Jhelum. Another crisis in the making is the Kishanganga hydroelectric project on the Neelum River in India. The average flow of Neelum water will drop by 21 per cent in Pakistan, which will not only cause energy losses amounting to billions of rupees but also serious environmental damage. In due course, India will have the ability to damage Pakistan's resources.

Two things should be done immediately: the World Bank arbitration process should be reactivated, and the pace of work at Neelum-Jhelum should be significantly increased. India is already doing that at the Kishanganga project.

Pakistan's water issues with India are about as important as the resolution of the Kashmir problem. In fact, the two are interlinked. Therefore, the resolution of the water issue should be part and parcel of any process of normalisation between India and Pakistan. Pakistan has to invest soon in new large dams. WAPDA's Vision 2025 should be pursued on a priority basis, under which four storage reservoirs, Yugo, Skardu, Basha and Kalabagh, are planned. One storage is urgently needed merely to make up for the dams' capacities lost to sedimentation.

As for the years beyond 2025, Pakistan should start focusing on other storage sites. There are many on the Indus and the Jhelum and off-channel. There are also hundreds of small and medium storage sites in all the four provinces, work on which must be pursued. At the same time, the enormous backlog of maintenance work on our water infrastructure must be taken in hand.

Lack of transparency and trust has made the discussion of large dams a very difficult process in Pakistan. Amazingly, in most countries of the world, the lower riparian is the greater beneficiary of new storages. Sometimes lower riparian regions pay for upstream storage.

In order to build confidence once again, there needs to be a totally transparent and verifiable implementation of the 1991 Accord and sufficient water needs to be guaranteed to the delta. Large investments are also required for those who do not have water and sanitation services in Pakistan's cities, towns and villages. Pakistan also needs to invest in making its municipal and industrial wastewater usable. Principles have to be defined on how the cost of water infrastructure should be distributed between the taxpayer and the user.

In the last two years the PSDP has been cut by hundreds of billions of rupees. Rather than cutting other huge expenditures, Pakistan cuts the PSDP to achieve IMF-dictated fiscal targets. So where will the money come from for all these water projects is a big question mark.



The writer is secretary general of the Pakistan Muslim League-Q and a former federal minister. Email: huakhan@ gmail.com