New Dimensions for Water Policy in Pakistan. By: M. Arshad Manzoor 15th July, 2013. (Un-Published). During the last regime 2008-13 of Pakistan Peoples Party in Pakistan, a robust argument was heard in favour of establishment of new provinces or more precisely the divison of Punjab into various provinces. The issue was also discussed in the Parliament many a times by various MPs. The issue was not highlighted on the basis of traditional parochial wrangling but on a solid demographic reality. Now that the Punjab is a province with almost 100 million population, it is not administratively possible and advisable to run such a demographically large province. Punjab, being the main consumer of natural water in Pakistan, has to have a domestic altercation over water issues as well as having international dimensions vis-Ă -vis Indian water projects in Indian held Kashmir. Apart from other matters, the policy makers should turn to the issues that would confront Punjab or its residuary provinces in near future. Not less than a workable water policy will be the requirement for quenching the water needs of ever increasing concentration of population in the existing Punjab province. Population is the most significant driver of water policy around the world. The disputes over water distribution in the sub-continent date back to the colonial era. The water politics and water disputes in Pakistan stem from the same colonial legacy. The emergence of new provinces may also increase the political commotion over water distribution issues. It would be appropriate that the policy makers in Pakistan should start working to dig out some out of the box parameters to devise an internal water policy for existing or future federating units of Pakistan. One should not circumvent the fact that huge urbanization in the cities of upper Punjab has been supported and managed at the cost of development of other areas of the province. One should not also undermine the water and sanitation problems in the cities of upper Punjab especially in Lahore. The underground aquifers in and around Lahore obtained the recharge from the fresh waters of the river Ravi. At present, the river Ravi gets very meagrre amount of water that enters Pakistan after India completed Ranjit Sagar dam over river Ravi in 2000. The dearth of water resources in the eastern part of Pakistan shall be a major public policy challenge in the near future. With the establishment of new provinces, the water issue will spring up with enhanced bitterness widening the political chasm in Pakistan. We share water courses with India. After the Indus Basin Treaty with India in 1960, we are on the verge of acute water scarcity in Pakistan. It is reported that India has surplus water from Ravi, Bias and Sutlej water system to the tune of 17.17 MAF which is distributed between various Indian States. There is still a lot of water potential in the above system to provide irrigation water to the adjoining areas of Pakistan. We are adept in waging wars. We have the references of two wars, i.e. Cold war battles in Afghanistan and the recent War on terrorism in our own country. But one should believe that the Pakistani nation will not be able to spare blood and money for next generation water wars with India. Now that the political debate over creation of new provinces is expected to get intense, there are also new prospects for the development of national policies on a wide range of new subjects of internal and international issues including water policy. Water issues with India can also be discussed in the new context. It is optimistic that the
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.