India and Pakistan have had
disputes over sharing of cross-boundary Rivers water since soon after
independence but these issues have intensified in recent years, along with the
intensification of water crisis in both the countries. To solve their water
issues amicably, the two countries signed a treaty in 1960 known as Indus Water
Treaty (IWT). But how effective the IWT has been in resolving Pak-India water
disputes – remains a question mark!
According to the treaty, India can use water of western rivers but can’t build
any storage project exceeding a certain height and cannot divert water of one
tributary to another tributary. But India has initiated a number of storage as
well as hydro-electric production projects that violate the treat and are a
major issue in bilateral relationship for last several years. One such project
is Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant (KHEP). It is, as claimed by India, a run of
the river project on Kishanganga River (called Neelum River in Pakistan). That
project, to be completed in 2014, will have a generating 330 MW of power.
The main point is diversion of water this diversion will change the natural
course of the Neelum river. And it will harm Pakistan’s power potential and
agricultural uses in the Neelum Valley. Pakistan started Neelum-Jhelum
Hydroelectric Project on Neelum River with the 969MW capacity. Kishanganga dam
will reduce 11 to 16 percent, and according to some estimates it will be more
than 27% reduction in the power generation capacity of Neelum Jhelum project.
The experience of last over 50 years of IWT indicates that while treaty is cited
as an example globally, Pakistan and India have not been able solve their issues
bilaterally through IWT. Pakistan has moved International Court of Arbitration (ICA),
the case is registered but ICA does not have the power to force India to stop
any of its projects that harms Pakistan’s interests.
The situation leaves Pakistan in a challenging position, requiring that Pakistan
should make water issues an important agenda point in the peace process ongoing
between the two countries, and should link concessions such as trade and transit
that Pakistan is giving to India, with mutually agreed solution of water
disputes.