The Indus River is not just Pakistan’s longest river—it is the country's lifeblood. From its origins in Tibet to its vast delta in the Arabian Sea, it spans over 3,000 kilometers, cutting across the length of Pakistan and sustaining millions of lives. It powers the economy, irrigates over 90% of Pakistan’s agriculture, and generates crucial hydropower. Yet, as essential as the river is, it has also become a source of contention, especially for the province of Sindh, which lies at the tail end of the system.
🌍 The Indus Waters Treaty and National Irrigation System
Under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, brokered by the World Bank, the waters of the Indus River system were divided:
- Western Rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — allocated to Pakistan
- Eastern Rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — allocated to India
Pakistan’s irrigation system, one of the largest in the world, was built around the flow of these western rivers, giving the country access to about 80 million acre-feet (MAF) annually.
The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has given approval for the much-anticipated Cholistan Canal Project, aiming to enhance irrigation facilities and boost agricultural productivity in the Cholistan region of Punjab, Pakistan.
Read More🏗️ Infrastructure Across the Indus Basin
Over decades, Pakistan has constructed a vast network of dams, barrages, and canals to manage this water. Key structures include:
✅ Major Dams:
- Tarbela Dam (1976) – World's largest earth-filled dam; 4,888 MW capacity
- Diamer-Bhasha Dam (under construction) – 4,800 MW; stores 8.1 MAF
- Dasu Dam (underway) – 4,320 MW upon completion
- Kalabagh Dam (proposed) – 3,600 MW; mired in controversy
- Bunji Dam (proposed) – 7,100 MW; under feasibility
✅ Major Barrages:
- Sukkur Barrage – Built 1932; lifeline of lower Sindh agriculture
- Guddu Barrage – Built 1962; key to upper Sindh irrigation
- Kotri Barrage – Built 1955; final control before the delta
- Taunsa Barrage – Diverts water into Kachhi Canal for Balochistan
🚧 Kachhi Canal: A Milestone for Balochistan
Initiated in 2002, the Kachhi Canal is a landmark irrigation project transporting Indus River water from Taunsa Barrage to the dry lands of Balochistan. It spans 499 km, with the goal of irrigating over 713,000 acres across Dera Bugti, Bolan, Naseerabad, and Jhal Magsi.
- Phase I completed (72,000 acres irrigated)
- Phase II under construction
- Phase III planned
This canal is a crucial step toward addressing inter-provincial water inequality and bringing Balochistan into the mainstream of Indus Basin development.
đź“Š Water Allocation: A 1991 Framework Under Strain
In 1991, Pakistan’s provinces agreed to a Water Apportionment Accord to distribute Indus Basin water equitably:
| Province | Annual Allocation (MAF) |
|---|---|
| Punjab | 55.95 |
| Sindh | 48.76 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 5.78 |
| Balochistan | 3.87 |
| Ungauged Canals | ~3.00 |
However, this framework is often ignored in practice, leading to serious shortages—especially for Sindh.
⚠️ Sindh’s Water Crisis: At the Tail-End and Left Behind
Despite its legal share, Sindh routinely receives less than its allocation, particularly during crucial crop seasons. Reports of 30–45% shortfalls are common. Key issues include:
- Upstream diversions and alleged overuse by Punjab
- Unregulated canal withdrawals
- Delays in scheduled water releases
- Climate change, reducing river flow and glacier melt timing
The Kotri Barrage, Sindh’s final control point before the sea, often registers critically low flows—directly impacting farmers, fisheries, and water tables.
🌿 The Environmental Collapse of the Indus Delta
Once home to the sixth-largest delta system in the world, Sindh’s Indus Delta is now collapsing:
- Seawater intrusion has swallowed over 2 million acres of fertile land
- Freshwater flow to the delta is far below the required 10 MAF/year
- Mangroves and fisheries are dying, affecting food security and biodiversity
This environmental degradation is a national disaster, not just a provincial concern.
🧠Conclusion: Sindh’s Struggle Is Pakistan’s Responsibility
The Indus River is a national asset—but the burden of imbalance falls disproportionately on Sindh, the lowest-riparian province. Projects like Diamer-Bhasha Dam and Kachhi Canal can strengthen Pakistan’s water security—but they must be balanced with justice, transparency, and equal provincial participation.
Sindh’s demands are simple and constitutional:
- Implementation of the 1991 Accord
- Fair share based on real-time telemetry
- Restoration of minimum environmental flow to the delta
- A voice in national water governance
As Pakistan navigates population growth and climate uncertainty, it must adopt a federally inclusive water policy. The survival of Sindh—and the strength of Pakistan—depends on it.
