Interruption in Indus Water Treaty Initiates Severe Water Shortage in Pakistan
Pakistan's water crisis is a significant issue, primarily caused by a complicated interplay between climate change, population growth, agricultural demand, and transboundary water management, with the Indus Water Treaty with India playing an essential role.
The climate crisis is battering Pakistan. Rising temperatures, melting Himalayan glaciers, and unpredictable monsoon patterns have sparked both extreme flooding and drought. As glaciers recede, long-term water scarcity is anticipated to intensify [1][3][4].
Pakistan's exploding population has contributed to the problem, with the country's population skyrocketing since independence and forecasted to continue growing [1][4]. Add to that the fact that most of Pakistan's agriculture depends upon the Indus Basin, which is over three-quarters territory-owned, and any changes in the water flow can wreak havoc on agriculture and livelihoods [1][3].
Infrastructure projects and internal disputes have further complicated matters. The Indus Basin Irrigation System, which supports 90% of Pakistan's agricultural output, struggles with limited water storage capacity, merely able to store water for 30 days compared to the recommended 1,000 days [4]. Additionally, water allocation between provinces remains contentious, sparking protests and worsening inter-provincial tension [2].
The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, divides control over six rivers between India and Pakistan. However, despite helping manage cross-border water disputes, Pakistan remains highly dependent on water flows from India-controlled rivers, with legal and operational disputes over dam construction and water use still unresolved, and climate change changing the hydrological landscape [2][3].
So, what's the way forward? Boosting water storage capacity, adopting water management reforms, encouraging interprovincial cooperation, developing climate adaptation strategies, practising transboundary diplomacy, and fostering public awareness and governance are all key steps towards achieving a sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient water management system [1][2][3][4].
- The ongoing water crisis in Pakistan highlights the need for policy-and-legislation measures, as the country grapples with the impacts of climate change, population growth, and politics surrounding water management and allocation.
- As general-news continues to report on Pakistan's water crisis, it becomes increasingly evident that addressing the issue requires not only diplomacy with India regarding the Indus Water Treaty but also domestic reforms in water storage, management, and interprovincial cooperation.
