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Friday March 29, 2024

India building seven hydropower projects on Pak rivers

By Israr Khan
September 30, 2016

ISLAMABAD: India has been violating the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) 1960 and building seven hydropower projects on Pakistani rivers which could adversely affect water security of Pakistan and flow of water in its rivers, the Senate Standing Committee on Water and Power Thursday noted.

Sheraz Memon, Additional Commissioner, Indus Water Commission gave a detailed presentation to the lawmakers on the Treaty, its historical perspective, rights and obligations, water issues and India’s future projects.He clarified to the lawmakers that it’s not correct that World Bank was a guarantor of IWT 1960 signed between Pakistan and India in Karachi.

The World Bank had brokered the treaty and facilitated negotiations between Pakistan and India. The World Bank’s key role is related only to treaty’s two articles which relate to appointment of neutral experts and Chairman Court of Arbitration. “World Bank is not guarantor to anything of treaty except two provisions,” he added. The lawmakers proposed that the Indian government’s designs to unilaterally end Indus Water Treaty 1960 with Pakistan or block water flow into Pakistani rivers should be considered as an act of war.

The committee which met here with Senator Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan in chair discussed “Indus Water Treaty 1960 in the backdrop of statements of Indian leadership regarding unilateral revocation of the treaty, its repercussions, Pakistan’s stance and preparedness to combat a war-like situation”.

Senate of Pakistan on September 27, 2016 referred the matter to the standing committee for consideration and report till October 3, 2016.Memon informed the committee that 80 percent water share (approximately 137 MAF) of Indus basin had been allocated to Pakistan whereas 20 percent water share was for India.

Memon stated that treaty was about distribution of rivers not distribution of water. It was decided that the water of three western rivers would be given to Pakistan whereas the water of three eastern, Satluj, Byas and Ravi rivers would be for India. Pakistan could only irrigate 45,000 acres of land with the water of river Ravi. Both countries were independent in use of their allocated rivers.

“Eastern Rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) allocated to India (33 MAF), except domestic and agricultural uses (45,500 acres), western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) allocated to Pakistan (137 MAF), except domestic, agricultural, non-consumptive and hydroelectric uses,” he added.

According to Memon, setting up of run of the river hydroelectric projects by India with pondage created issues as Indian was also allowed to have storages of 2.85 MAF on rivers allocated to Pakistan in addition to water required for irrigation and drinking in Held Kashmir. Of 2.85 MAF India had availed itself of storage capacity of 0.8 MAF so far. He said, pondage could not stop flows, but flows were fluctuated for a few hours which are later on bridge the flow gap.

The committee, however, raised concerns if India took 2 MAF water for agriculture purpose in addition to already agreed 2.85 MAF water, it would be around 5 MAF. India could irrigate 1.339 million acres of land with water of rivers allocated to Pakistan. India had developed 0.8 million acres of land so far. Indus river’s 12-13 percent catchment areas exist in India whereas 87-88 percent is in Pakistan.

“India can play with only 9,000 acres feet of water out of 90 MAF,” he continued.However, Pakistan is worried if India continues to construct pondage for run of the river projects, time will come when it will create problems for Pakistan as in such a scenario, India can stop water or divert it.

According to the treaty, Pakistan shall receive for unrestricted use all those water of the western rivers which India is under obligation to let flow under the provisions of paragraph 2 of treaty. India shall be under an obligation to let flow all the water of the western rivers and shall not permit any interference with these water, except for the following uses - domestic use; non-consumptive use; agricultural use; generation of hydroelectric power. Except this, India shall not store any water of, or construct any storage works on the western rivers.

Current issues with India are as follows (i) Rattle Hydroelectric Plant (850 mw) (ROR); Kishenganga Hydroelectric Plant (330mw) (ROR) (design aspects only); Miyar Hydroelectric Plant (120mw) (ROR); Lower Kalnai Hydroelectric Plant (48mw) (ROR); Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Plant (initially 1000mw, ultimate 1500mw) (storage) and Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project (suspended since 1985 on interruption of Pakistan).

India does not easily accept Pakistan’s objections and gains time by engaging Pakistan into discussions and at the same time work on projects also continues which ultimately results into fait accompli for Pakistan, he said. Pakistan needs quick amicable resolutions to the issues of Rattle and Kishenganga HEPs at any level as these are under construction at a faster pace.

A Pakistani team led by Attorney General for Pakistan and comprising Secretary Water and Power is in the United States for meetings to setting up International Court of Justice on Kishanganga and Rattle, he said, adding that preparation for third party resolution has been initiated.

Senator Taj Haider said that dictator Ayub Khan sold Pakistan’s rights to India by singing the treaty and urged the government to review it.Senator Karim Khawaja also supported Taj Haider and said that the treaty should be reviewed as it was in favour of India.

The representative of Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that India had not shared anything with Pakistan official so far on this issue, adding that India could not amend or scrape the international treaty.“It’s not easy for India to scrap the treaty unilaterally but Pakistan should complete its preparedness,” he continued.

Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said that World Bank had also offered to broker deal with Afghanistan on Kabul River whose 6-8 MAF follows are generated from Afghanistan whereas 16 MAF are from Pakistan. He further stated that Pakistan needed to develop storages to stop water going into sea from downstream Kotri.

The officials of Water and Power Ministry were of the view that India could not stop Pakistan’s water because it had no such infrastructure so far. The committee, however, feared that India could do this with a couple of years and Pakistan must initiate steps to counter any such move.Senator Nisar Muhammad also urged that a full house committee should be constituted to formulate long term policy on water issues.