The distribution of water between the four provinces has been a serious conflict since the creation of Pakistan in 1947. The majority of Pakistan’s population is depended on agriculture for which reason access to water is essential. The main water resource of Pakistan is the Indus River originating in the Tibetan region of the Himalaya. From there the river flows northwest through the Indian administered Kashmir to the Northern Areas of Pakistan, then turning southwards passing through NWFP, Punjab and Sindh where it merges with the Arabian Sea. The main tributaries of Pakistan largest river are Sutlej, Ravi, Beas, Jhelum and Chenab.

The main conflict over water distribution is between the provinces of Punjab and Sindh. Already before partition of the Indian Subcontinent the provinces of Punjab and Sindh quarrel over access of the Indus water. Plans for the construction of irrigation infrastructure in Punjab were boycotted from Sindh, because it would have reduced the water flow to the south. The conflict was brought to an end by the British for the benefit of Sindh. From 1970 onwards the conflict revived when the central government began to allocate water on ad hoc basis on the expense of all provinces except Punjab. The ratification of the Indus Water Apportionment Accord in 1991 finally set up regulations ensuring a minimum flow of water into the Arabian Sea and a certain share of water for all provinces. Nevertheless, the conflict over water resources remained until today.

Pakistan’s Water Economy: Running Dry
By World Bank
Pakistan faced several political and natural challenges to its water economy. These were successfully managed through the Indus water treaty with India and the shrewd application of science, technology, and economics, but Pakistan is once again facing a number of very serious water-related threats to its survival.

Stopping Water Storage in Tarbela
By Rana Kashif (Daily Times)
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the PML-Quaid (PML-Q) stood united in the Punjab
Assembly (PA) on Thursday against the release of Punjab’s water to Sindh. Both parties strongly opposed Wednesday’s decision at a high level meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari. The meeting had decided to reduce the flow of Taunsa-Punjnad, and even to close it if needed.

Sindh wants implementation of 1991 Water Accord
By By Imtiaz Ali (The News)
In an apparent reference to the recent protest by Punjab’s legislators over the alleged curtailment of their
province’s share of water, the CM said that being a lower riparian, Sindh was also facing a shortage of water.

Text of the Apportionment of the Waters of Indus River System between the provinces, 1991