New Water Policy and Practice Volume 1, Number 2 - Spring 2015 | Page 47
New Water Policy and Practice - Volume 1, Number 2 - Spring 2015
Water Disputes between Punjab and Sindh: A Challenge
to Pakistan
Amit RanjanA
Water disputes between Punjab and Sindh provinces in Pakistan pose a
challenge to its existing federal–state relationship. Sindh alleges that Punjab,
due to its domination over state’s machinery, diverts the water resources at
the cost of others. This dispute is not a new rather it exists since the irrigation
system was developed in this region. The colonial rulers constructed canals
to promote loyalty and secure their interests. The loyalists and soldiers were
provided with land to produce cash crops in canal colonies. The partition of
India in 1947 also partitioned the existing irrigation system. Since 1947 many
futile attempts have been made to manage the water disputes between Punjab
and Sindh. The reasons for it are not only the physical availability of the water
resources but many more.
Keywords: Mughal Period, Irrigation System, Indus Water Treaty, Eighteenth
Amendment Act, WAPDA, Indus Apportionment Act 1991
I
nter-provincial water disputes between Punjab and Sindh in Pakistan exists, since
irrigation system developed in both regions. Both the provinces have agriculturebased economy, which is mainly dependent on the waters from river Indus. During
colonial years, the British rulers used the hydrological structures to implement their
policy of “divide and rule”. Water from one region was diverted to the other to suppress
the rise of nationalism during the struggle for independence against the British rule.
After Pakistan was formed, as a result of partition of India in 1947, Punjab is being
alleged for diverting water resources for its use at the cost of Sindh. The increasing
burden on available resources is cited as a reason for this, but the power asymmetry
between Punjab and Sindh too is an important factor for water disputes. In this paper,
an attempt is being made to address following questions: Why water disputes between
Punjab and Sindh still exist? Why the polic