In 1951 the World Bank offered its good offices for resolution of the water issue between Pakistan and India. The efforts ultimately ended in an agreement in the shape of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) signed in 1960. As per IWT, India got the complete rights on the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Chenab, and Beas) whereas Pakistan was given the rights on the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) with some specific provisions for use of water by India from these rivers. On Feb 22, the US Senate report has acknowledged that the IWT has acted as an effective tool to avoid conflict for decades, but a combination of the effects of global warming, dams that India is building or proposes to build and Himalayan glacier melt are likely to erode the IWT firewall.

According to media reports, 33 hydroelectric projects are being planned by India on the rivers reserved for Pakistan. The number of dams under construction and their management is a source of significant bilateral tension. Currently, the most controversial dam project is the proposed 330-megawatt dam on the Kishanganga River, a branch of the Indus.

The report ‘Avoiding Water Wars in South and Central Asia’ says that studies show that no single dam along the waters controlled by the IWT will affect Pakistan’s access to water, (but) the increasing effect of these projects could give India the ability to store enough water to limit the supply to Pakistan at crucial moments in the growing season. Thus Pakistan’s agriculture and hydropower generation is under serious threat.

Due to the sensitivity of the issue and its impact on Pakistan, the issue if not resolved could lead to confrontation.

MURAD MAQSOOD Islamabad

Water terrorism This is apropos of your editorial ‘Threat of water war’ (Feb 26), warning the government to wake up to the ground realities and make efforts to stop India in denying our legitimate share of water. India has started construction or planned nearly 40 dams on the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab).

Pakistan was given exclusive rights with some specific provisions for use of water by India from these rivers. India violated the IWT by building Baglihar Hydroelectric Plant on River Chenab, likewise Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant and Wuller Barrage are also in dispute.

The construction of Wuller Barrage would provide India the control over River Jhelum which it may use to deprive Pakistan of water of River Jhelum during winter season.

Construction of Indian dams on the Western Rivers is posing a direct threat to Pakistan’s national interest, if not resolved soon it will become a potential conflict area due to its strategic implications for Pakistan.

India is obliged to provide information of their projects to Pakistan six months before the start of construction. In all instances, India has started work without providing requisite information. Also, the information, whenever provided, is normally incomplete. Without any prejudice to the stand taken, Pakistan has suggested the installation of the telemetric system of measurement of flow of Indus Systems of rivers, particularly on the Western Rivers but India has resisted its installation.

This has jeopardised Pakistan’s agriculture, and hydropower generation is under further threat. Due to the sensitivity of the issue and its impact on Pakistan, the issue if not resolved could lead to confrontation. The option of war on water cannot be overruled. India should resolve this issue amicably. It is in both country’s interest so that the water problem may not become another issue like Kashmir on which we had three bloody wars.

MUKHTAR AHMED BUTT Karachi Cantt