Six Canal Issue; Sindh Plight

Six Canal Issue; Sindh Plight This page aims to provide information on climate change, IWT and awareness on the Crises on 6 canals on Indus River, needs immediate action.

Whether Pakistan needs to renegotiate Treaty due to the presents water situation in the Rivers of Pakistan.

08/09/2025

Indus River Origin

The Indus River flows through the length of Pakistan from the northern mountains down to the Arabian Sea, traversing the Gilgit-Baltistan region, the Punjab province, and the Sindh province. It serves as the longest river and the national river of Pakistan.

The river originates in the Tibetan Plateau, enters Pakistan in the mountains of the Karakoram and Hindu Kush, and eventually forms an delta as it flows into the Arabian Sea near Karachi.

Major Regions and Locations
Origin: The river begins in the Tibetan Plateau, near Lake Manasarovar.
Northern Pakistan: It flows through the Gilgit-Baltistan region, where it is fed by glaciers and tributaries from the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush mountain ranges.

Punjab: After emerging from the mountains, it enters the Punjab Plain, flowing southwards.

Sindh: The river continues through the Sindh province.

Mouth: It concludes its journey by flowing into the Arabian Sea in the Indus River Delta, near the city of Karachi.

Geographic Significance

National River: The Indus is the longest and the national river of Pakistan.

Economic Importance: It plays a crucial role in the economy of Pakistan, supporting various ecosystems and serving as a vital water source.

Course: The river flows almost entirely through Pakistan, except for its origin and a section through India.

By focusing on water, extremism, and trade, the cease-fire can become an enduring peace. Now that both India and Pakist...
14/05/2025

By focusing on water, extremism, and trade, the cease-fire can become an enduring peace.

Now that both India and Pakistan have executed their military responses to each other’s real or perceived actions against the other in Kashmir, good sense has prevailed in the shape of a cease-fire.

If the announcement holds, this stops the ratcheting up of hostilities that were putting both nuclear-armed rivals on a steep escalation ladder. Historically, both sides try to gain some tactical advantages by extending the cease-fire limits. And there are many trigger-happy local commanders on both sides of the line of control in Kashmir, which would explain reports of clashes in the hours after the cease-fire announcement.

I am hearing from Pakistani sources that the agreement to cease hostilities emerged after closed and direct talks between the directors general of military operations of both armies and representatives of the two national security advisors. It helped that in the case of Pakistan, the national security advisor, Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, was also the current director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (likely preparing himself for that generally civilian role post-retirement in a few months). Helping the process to put the lid on this regional flashpoint was the behind-the-scenes encouragement of US President Donald Trump, his Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and possibly Saudi Arabia.

What next? Having raised domestic emotions to a high pitch, leaders on both sides will want to take a much-needed pause and then begin the process of what Rubio identified as the beginning of “talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.” It will be interesting to see what is considered a neutral site. The Gulf is one possibility.

Three main items should be on the agenda.

1. The Indus Basin Water Treaty
Front and center should be the discussion of the effects of climate change on both India and Pakistan and the need to update the Indus Basin Water Treaty, originally agreed upon with US help and under the aegis of the World Bank. That treaty, signed in 1960, took nine years of negotiation. Both countries have been dancing around the shared waters issue in the past. India recently unilaterally abrogated the treaty—a debatable action. Regardless, the Himalayan and Karakoram glaciers feeding their rivers are declining, and time is running out for measures to counteract that reality. Both nations will suffer the consequences of dying waterways.

Moreover, the shared aquifers of the Indian and Pakistani Punjabs badly need recharging. The misuse of tubewells has dropped the water tables, and overwatering has produced waterlogging and salinity. Combined efforts to revive underground water resources will help fight climate change. Otherwise, agriculture will suffer, and the population may die of thirst. …

Shuja Nawaz, a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, here

01/05/2025

The 1991 Water Accord has not undergone any major revisions. However, there have been attempts to revisit and redraft it. In 2021, Federal Minister for Water Resources Chaudhry Moonis Elahi proposed revisiting the accord, citing that it was based on perceived water resources that didn't accurately reflect the actual availability. He suggested a new formula for water sharing, which was met with resistance from Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The CM emphasized that the 1991 accord was ratified by the Council of Common Interest (CCI) and was acceptable to all provinces, urging the federal government to strengthen the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) instead of redrafting the accord ¹.

*Key Points of Contention:*

- *Water Allocation*: The 1991 Water Accord allocates water shares to each province, with Punjab receiving 55.95%, Sindh 28.77%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 8.26%, and Balochistan 7.02%.

- *Proposed Revisions*: The proposed revisions aim to adjust these allocations based on actual water availability and usage patterns.

- *Provincial Concerns*: Provinces like Sindh are concerned about potential reductions in their water shares and the impact on their agriculture and economy.

Overall, while there have been discussions about revising the 1991 Water Accord, no major revisions have been made yet.

01/05/2025

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) is responsible for allocating water resources among Pakistan's provinces. According to the 1991 Water Accord, water distribution is based on a formula that allocates shares to each province.

Water Allocation Shares:

- Punjab*: 55.95% of the total allocable water supply

-*Sindh*: 28.77% of the total allocable water supply

- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa*: 8.26% of the total allocable water supply

- Balochistan*: 7.02% of the total allocable water supply

IRSA monitors and regulates water distribution, ensuring compliance with the Accord. However, the provinces are responsible for managing their allocated water resources and ensuring efficient use.

*Challenges:*

- Water scarcity and variability in river flows affect distribution

- Infrastructure issues and water losses impact allocable water supply

- Provincial disputes and mistrust can hinder effective water management

To address these challenges, Pakistan needs to improve water management practices, upgrade infrastructure, and promote provincial cooperation ¹.

30/04/2025

The allocation of water in Pakistan, as per the 1991 Water Accord, is based on a combination of factors, including:

Historical Water Use: Existing water use patterns and agricultural practices.

Agricultural Requirements: Water needs for crops and agricultural production.

Provincial Needs: Water requirements for each province, considering their specific needs and circumstances.

The allocation is not directly based on population density or agricultural area alone. Instead, it's a negotiated agreement that takes into account various factors, including historical water use, agricultural requirements, and provincial needs.

This approach aims to balance the water needs of different provinces and ensure equitable distribution of this vital resource.

30/04/2025

:

1. Upper Riparian vs. Lower Riparian: Punjab is the upper riparian province, controlling a significant portion of the Indus River System's water resources. Sindh, as the lower riparian province, feels vulnerable to water shortages and blames Punjab for alleged water theft or mismanagement.

2.Agricultural Dominance: Punjab is Pakistan's agricultural hub, and its agricultural practices are often water-intensive. Sindh perceives that Punjab's agricultural activities and water usage patterns contribute to water shortages downstream.

3. Historical Tensions: Historical grievances and mistrust between Sindh and Punjab contribute to ongoing tensions and blame-shifting.

4. Perceived Inequitable Distribution: Sindh perceives that Punjab receives more water than allocated, leading to shortages in Sindh.

:

1. *Lack of Trust in Institutions*: Weak institutional frameworks and lack of trust in organizations like IRSA can exacerbate tensions and blame-shifting.

2. *Political Factors*: Provincial politics and competing interests can amplify tensions and blame on Punjab.

*Complexity of the Issue:*

The water scarcity issue in Pakistan is complex, involving multiple stakeholders, provinces, and interests. Blaming a single province oversimplifies the issue and ignores the broader challenges, such as:

1. *Climate Change*: Climate change affects water availability and distribution.

2. *Population Growth*: Increasing population puts pressure on water resources.

3. *Inefficient Water Management*: Water losses and inefficiencies in the distribution system contribute to shortages.

Addressing water scarcity requires a comprehensive approach, involving multiple stakeholders, provinces, and sectors.

29/04/2025

Despite the existence of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and the Water Accord, tensions between provinces, particularly between Sindh and Punjab, persist due to various reasons:

Reasons for Tensions

1. Water Scarcity: Pakistan faces water scarcity due to various factors, including climate change, population growth, and inefficient water management.

2. Perceived Inequitable Distribution:
Sindh perceives that Punjab receives more water than allocated, leading to shortages in Sindh.

3. Lack of Trust: Historical grievances and mistrust between provinces contribute to ongoing tensions.

4. Infrastructure Issues: Aging infrastructure, water theft, and inefficient distribution systems exacerbate the problem.

5. Political Factors: Provincial politics and competing interests can amplify tensions.

Specific Concerns of Sindh

1. Tail-End Problems: Sindh, being the downstream province, faces challenges due to reduced water flows and increased salinity.

2. Agricultural Impact: Water shortages affect Sindh's agriculture, leading to economic losses and impacting livelihoods.

Potential Solutions

1. Improved Water Management: Implementing efficient water management practices, such as water conservation and precision irrigation.

2.Infrastructure Upgrades: Modernizing infrastructure to reduce water losses and improve distribution.

3. Transparency and Monitoring: Enhancing transparency and monitoring mechanisms to ensure accurate water accounting and distribution.

4. Provincial Cooperation: Fostering greater cooperation and dialogue between provinces to address concerns and find mutually beneficial solutions.

Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach, involving technical, institutional, and political solutions.

27/04/2025

Panjnad is an important location in Punjab, Pakistan, where five major rivers—Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—come together. The name "Panjnad" means "five rivers." They meet near Uch Sharif in the Bahawalpur district. The combined stream runs southwest for about 45 miles and joins the Indus River, also known as the Sindhu River, at Mithankot.

After receiving the waters from Panjnad, the Indus River continues its journey southward into Sindh. It flows through various cities and villages, irrigating fertile lands and supporting agriculture, which is the backbone of the region. The river then reaches the coastal town of Keti Bandar and flows toward Kharo Chan District Thatta, near Karachi. where it finally empties into the Arabian Sea, marking the end of its long journey from the Himalayas to the sea.

This vast network of rivers not only supports agriculture but also plays a crucial role in the culture, economy, and ecology of Pakistan. The Indus River and its tributaries have shaped the land for centuries, serving as the lifeline for millions living along their banks.

27/04/2025

View of boats in the water on the dry riverbed of the Indus River in Hyderabad, Pakistan April 24, 2025. — REUTERS

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27/04/2025

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) Accord of 1991-92 is a water distribution agreement between the provinces of Pakistan. Key features include:

*Key Features:*

1. *Water Allocation*: The Accord allocates water shares to each province based on their agricultural and domestic needs.

2. *Formula-Based Distribution*: Water distribution is based on a formula that takes into account the available water supply and the needs of each province.
3. *Provincial Responsibilities*: Provinces are responsible for managing their allocated water resources and ensuring efficient use.

4. *IRSA's Role*: IRSA is responsible for monitoring and regulating water distribution, resolving disputes, and ensuring compliance with the Accord.

*Impact:*

1. *Improved Water Management*: The Accord promotes more efficient water management and reduces conflicts between provinces.

2. *Increased Agricultural Productivity*: By ensuring a stable water supply, the Accord supports agricultural productivity and food security.

3. *Enhanced Provincial Cooperation*: The Accord fosters cooperation among provinces in managing shared water resources.

The IRSA Accord of 1991-92 has played a crucial role in managing Pakistan's water resources and promoting cooperation among provinces.

27/04/2025

The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) is a federal agency responsible for managing the Indus River System, which includes the Indus River and its tributaries. IRSA's primary role is to regulate and manage the distribution of water resources among the four provinces of Pakistan: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.

*Key Functions:*

- *Water Distribution*: IRSA allocates water resources among the provinces based on the Indus Waters Accord.

- *Water Management*: IRSA monitors and manages water flows, ensuring efficient use of water resources.
- *Dispute Resolution*: IRSA helps resolve disputes related to water distribution among the provinces.

*Importance:*

- *Water Security*: IRSA plays a crucial role in ensuring water security for agriculture, industry, and domestic use.

- *Provincial Cooperation*: IRSA promotes cooperation among the provinces in managing shared water resources.

IRSA's work is essential for Pakistan's economic development, agricultural productivity, and social stability.

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Saira Bhatty, Kashif Rehman Abbasi, Israr Jan Soomro, Sal...
26/04/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! Saira Bhatty, Kashif Rehman Abbasi, Israr Jan Soomro, Saleem Ahmed, Abrarkhan Baloch, Ibrahim Lodhi, Faqeer Rasheed Qazi Hussani, Khalid Javed Rao, Mehjabeen Rajpoot, Qurat Kazmi Kazmi, Younus Baloch, Afsar Zaidi, Farkhanda Jabeen, Adv Qaim Shah Sheerazi, Sajida Ibrahim, Abdul Rasheed Katpar, Sardar Abdul Waheed Adv, Naeem Khanzada, Adv Mazhar Buriro, Sanaullah Metlo, Rais Asif Jatoi, Riaz Ali Shah, Atta Bhanbhro Adv, Anaya Fatima, Ghulam Muhaydin, Haroon Khan, Aslam Pervaiz Arain, Nauman Ahmed Sheikh, Abid Feroze

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