Provinces present contested views to address water shortage.

Byline: Imtiaz Ali

KARACHI -- Adoption of the 'three-tier formula' and 'historic use' were being preferred by Punjab to address the water shortage crisis in the country, while Sindh was opposing it, contending that it was violation of the Water Accord of 1991 and that the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) had no powers to modify the accord.

Irsa was of the view that till construction of new water reservoirs to increase water storage facility in the system up to 114 MAF (million acre feet), the existing arrangement about distribution of water among the four provinces initiated in 2003 should continue.

Balochistan complained that it was not getting due share of water and Sindh was passing on shortfall to it, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa maintained that it was facing 34 per cent shortage of water annually as it had no infrastructure.

Irsa insists present arrangements of water sharing should continue

These were some of the contested views presented by the four provinces and Irsa before a committee appointed by the prime minister. The committee, led by Attorney General Anwar Mansoor Khan, had recently submitted its recommendations for addressing the water crisis to the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

Punjab's views

The Punjab government contended that it was utilising over 54 MAF of water in 1977-82 out of a total usage of over 102 MAF by all the provinces and this was over 53pc of the total usage.

Under para 2 of the Water Accord (114.35 MAF), Punjab's share increased to 55.94 MAF but the percentage reduced to 48.9pc.

'Punjab agreed to this reduced percentage if the available supply increased to 114.35 MAF to ensure planned future development of agriculture.'

It pointed out that water supplies were not increased to 114.35 MAF and it was being asked to draw 4.2pc less water.

It argued that 'the proportions mentioned in para 2 of the Accord are based on volume of water which was never available and, therefore, the proportions mentioned in it (para 2) become impractical'.

It believed that if 102.73 (average system uses) were to be distributed as per para 2, Punjab would be in the 'least advantageous position', as it would lose 4.25 MAF of water, while Sindh would get more than the existing uses.

'The distribution of available supply according to para 2 would only be possible when the available supply is enhanced to 114.35 MAF by constructing new storage reservoirs,' argued Punjab.

Sindh's rejoinder

Sindh maintained that the water distribution...