The Accord 1991 known as Water Apportionment Accord and Its Violations Against Sindh
The Accord 1991 (WAA) was an agreement among the four provinces of Pakistan, designed to distribute the waters of the River Indus System equitably. Signed on March 16, 1991, and approved by the Council of Common Interests on March 21, 1991, the accord aimed to ensure that each province received its due share of water.
However, Sindh has long maintained that Punjab has repeatedly violated the agreement, depriving Sindh of its rightful share and worsening the province’s water crisis, agricultural decline, and environmental degradation.
Key Provisions of the Water Accord 1991
The WAA allocated a total of 114.35 MAF (Million Acre-Feet) of water among the provinces as follows:
| Province | Water Allocation (MAF) |
|---|---|
| Punjab | 55.94 |
| Sindh | 48.76 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) | 5.78 |
| Balochistan | 3.87 |
Additionally, the accord 1991 recognized Sindh’s historical water rights, ensuring that any new water developments would not harm the lower riparian province.
Sindh’s Objections to the Accord 1991
While Sindh initially accepted the accord, it has faced continuous violations and unfair implementation, particularly by Punjab. The main objections raised by Sindh include:
- Unfair Distribution of Water
- Punjab has consistently taken more than its allocated share, particularly in dry seasons, leaving Sindh with a critical water shortage.
- IRSA, (Indus River System Authority) the body responsible for enforcing the accord 1991, has often favored Punjab in decision-making, disregarding Sindh’s complaints.
- Illegal Canal Construction by Punjab
- Punjab has constructed unauthorized canals such as the Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal and Taunsa-Panjnad Canal, diverting Sindh’s share of water.
- These projects have been undertaken without Sindh’s consent, violating the terms of the 1991 accord and the principles of lower riparian rights.
- Excessive Water Storage Projects
- Punjab has initiated several dam and barrage projects under the guise of “Green Pakistan” but without consulting Sindh.
- Dams such as the Kalabagh Dam have been strongly opposed by Sindh as they would further deprive the province of its water rights.
- Failure to Account for Climate Change & Water Scarcity
- The accord did not take into account the effects of climate change, increasing droughts, and population growth, which have made water shortages even worse.
- Sindh has suffered severe agricultural losses, with reduced water flows affecting cotton, wheat, and rice production.
Further Violations and Their Consequences
Punjab continues to exploit Sindh’s water share by implementing projects that benefit its agricultural sector at the expense of Sindh’s water security. Some of the notable violations include:
- Diminishing Water Flow to Sindh’s Delta
- The Indus Delta, once a thriving ecosystem, has shrunk due to reduced freshwater flow, leading to seawater intrusion, loss of farmland, and destruction of mangroves.
- The fishing industry in areas like Thatta and Badin has suffered due to a lack of water flow into the sea.
- Salinity and Droughts in Sindh
- With limited water reaching Sindh, the province faces increased desertification and soil salinity.
- Farmers are unable to cultivate crops, forcing many into migration and economic hardship.
- Political Negligence and Corruption
- The PPP-led government and the Zardari dynasty have failed to protect Sindh’s water rights.
- While Sindh’s people have given PPP a political mandate, the leadership has prioritized political gains and corruption over Sindh’s vital resources.
- Federal authorities continue to approve projects that go against Sindh’s interests, using traitors and agents within the government to silence opposition.
What Sindh Demands
Sindh’s people and leaders, such as Zain Shah, are actively protesting against the theft of Sindh’s water. The demands include:
- No more canals on the Sindhu River that violate Sindh’s rights.
- Equal and fair distribution of water in accordance with the WAA.
- Construction of any new water storage projects in Sindh, rather than in Punjab.
- Strict action against Punjab’s illegal water diversions and new canal projects.
- Transparency and accountability within IRSA to ensure Sindh’s due share is delivered.
Conclusion
The Accord 1991 was signed by Pakistan’s four provinces to distribute the Indus River’s water, with Jam Sadiq Ali as Sindh’s Chief Minister at the time. Despite Sindhis protesting and crying out against it, Jam Sadiq signed the Accord 1991 to please the federal government and for his personal gain.
Sindhis never accepted this unfair agreement, which compromised their water rights. Since then, Punjab has repeatedly violated the Accord 1991, constructing canals and barrages that deprive Sindh of its due share. This ongoing injustice has worsened water shortages, devastated agriculture, and fueled resentment among Sindhis demanding their rightful water distribution.
The 1991 Water Apportionment Accord was meant to ensure fair water distribution among Pakistan’s provinces, but Punjab’s continuous violations have crippled Sindh’s economy, agriculture, and environment. Sindh’s people are now raising their voices against this injustice, demanding that the federal government and IRSA enforce the accord in its true spirit. Without immediate action, Sindh’s water crisis will worsen, threatening the livelihoods of millions and further escalating regional tensions.