By Remedy Talks Editorial Team

Water is not just a natural resource in Pakistan—it’s a lifeline. It flows through our farmlands, fuels our economy, and sustains over 240 million lives. Yet, the country’s most essential asset has repeatedly become a source of division rather than unity. The recent debate over the proposed Cholistan canal project once again highlighted the deep-rooted tensions between Sindh and Punjab, forcing the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to intervene.

But this isn’t just about one project. It’s about a pattern of broken agreements, ignored policies, and inequitable practices that have put Pakistan’s water future at risk.

A Crisis That Was Already Written

More than three decades ago, Pakistan’s provinces agreed to a formula to divide river water fairly. Known as the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991, it was supposed to prevent exactly the kind of conflicts we’re seeing today. But that promise was never fully kept.

Instead, what emerged in 2003 was the three-tier formula—an arrangement never legally approved but frequently used by the Indus River System Authority (IRSA). This formula has led to Sindh receiving less water than its rightful share, violating not just the 1991 Accord but also the National Water Policy of 2018.

What’s most troubling? These decisions were made without the consent of all stakeholders, defying the core principle of participatory and consultative water planning set out in the policy itself.

The Disappearing Rights of the Lower Riparian

In water law, the concept of “lower riparian rights” is simple: downstream regions have a legitimate claim to water flow. But in Pakistan, that principle has been quietly eroded.

Sindh’s concerns about upstream diversions—such as the Cholistan project—are not unfounded. History supports them. From the 1945 Sindh-Punjab agreement to the 1991 Accord, the right of the lower riparian has always been acknowledged. Yet today, it is being overridden by administrative shortcuts and unapproved formulas.

The National Water Policy (2018) clearly reaffirms this right. Clause 5.2 states that lower riparian rights must be “scrupulously respected.” But respect means nothing without action.

When Water Disappears Before the Farm

The crisis doesn’t end with unjust sharing. Even the water that is diverted often fails to reach the end-user: the farmer. According to the National Water Policy, out of 104 million acre feet (MAF) of annual canal water, only 58.3 MAF actually reaches the farm gate. The remaining 46.7 MAF is lost—mostly due to seepage from unlined canals.

This is not just inefficiency; it’s an economic disaster.

With growing climate stress, rising demand, and urban expansion, Pakistan cannot afford to waste half of its irrigation water. The policy recommends a nationwide “crash programme” to line water courses and reduce losses by at least a third by 2030.

That goal remains far from reality.

Sea Intrusion: The Silent Killer of Sindh’s Coast

One of the most devastating and overlooked consequences of upstream water diversion is sea intrusion. When less freshwater reaches the Indus Delta, seawater pushes inland, poisoning land and freshwater aquifers.

Clause 8.1.5 of the water policy acknowledges this growing threat. It notes that over 2 million acres of land have already been lost in Thatta, Badin, and Sujawal—devastating local agriculture and displacing communities.

What was once fertile coastline is now a salinated wasteland. Without urgent intervention, this trend could destroy Pakistan’s coastal agriculture and fisheries, pushing thousands into climate-driven poverty.

Environmental Flows Aren’t Optional

Another key but often ignored aspect of water governance is environmental flow—the amount of water that must be left in rivers to maintain their ecology and health. Clause 6.1 of the National Water Policy emphasizes this, stating that environmental flows are essential to conserve river ecosystems, delta morphology, and fisheries.

Yet, in practice, these flows are often sacrificed for irrigation and storage. In doing so, we’re trading short-term gain for long-term collapse.

A Policy That Could Change Everything—If Followed

The National Water Policy of 2018 isn’t just a bureaucratic document. It’s a blueprint for fair and sustainable water management. It includes:

• Fair distribution based on the 1991 Accord
• Clear targets for efficiency and conservation
• Commitments to protect lower riparian rights
• Goals for improved irrigation methods (“more crop per drop“)
• Strategic responses to environmental threats

But good policy means nothing without implementation. Unless all provinces—and the federal government—commit to following it in both letter and spirit, Pakistan’s water crises will only deepen.

Why This Matters to Every Pakistani

Water is more than an interprovincial issue. It’s a national survival issue. From the wheat fields of Punjab to the rice paddies of Sindh, from the fishing boats in Sujawal to the tube wells of Balochistan—every region depends on the fair and efficient use of water.

If we continue to politicize water, delay reforms, and ignore environmental limits, we won’t just face droughts and protests. We’ll face food insecurity, economic instability, and mass displacement.

The Council of Common Interests has taken a positive step by emphasizing consensus. But that consensus must be rooted in respecting existing accords, listening to all provinces, and putting long-term sustainability above short-term politics.

Final Thoughts: A Shared Future, A Shared Responsibility

Water doesn’t belong to one province, one government, or one generation. It belongs to all of us—and it belongs to the future.

The National Water Policy already gives us a map. The 1991 Accord already gives us a fair baseline. What’s needed now is political will, transparent governance, and a commitment to collective good.

Pakistan’s future depends on water. And water depends on justice.