Pahgam Terror Attack: What is the Indus Water Treaty and how will its suspension affect Pakistan? , Bharat News
New Delhi: India on Wednesday suspended the Indus Water Treaty in view of the Pahgam terror attack with Pakistan. The move was one of the five major decisions made during a cabinet committee at a security meeting led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
What is Indus Water Treaty?
The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) was signed between India and Pakistan on September 19, 1960, as a prominent example of cross-limit crossing.
This was broketed by the World Bank after a nine -year -old conversation and was signed to manage the rivers shared by the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan.
How does the Indus water treaty work?
According to the agreement, India has control over Eastern rivers – Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej – while Pakistan gets water from Western rivers – Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
The treaty benefits from Pakistan as it receives about 80% of the total water flow from these rivers, which are important Agriculture in PakistanEspecially in the provinces of Punjab and Sindh.
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According to the World Bank, the treaty established a framework for fair and cooperative management Indus river systemWhich is necessary for agriculture, drinking water and industry in both India and Pakistan.
This outlined clear guidelines for sharing the same as the river and its tributaries to ensure that the two nations could meet their water needs.
The treaty gave India control over Eastern rivers – Ravi, Beas and Sutlej – while Pakistan was given Western rivers – Indus, Jhelum and Chenb.
However, both countries are allowed to use limited use of rivers assigned to another for specific purposes such as irrigation and power generation.
Why was the treaty required?
When British India was divided in 1947, the Indus River System – which begins in Tibet and it is from both India and Pakistan, also touches parts of Afghanistan and China – becomes a source of stress.
In 1948, India temporarily stopped the flow of water for Pakistan, extending the issue with the United Nations. The United Nations recommended the inclusion of a neutral third party, which motivates the World Bank to step and mediate.
After years of conversation, the Indus Water Treaty was signed in 1960 by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan to manage and share significantly important river systems.
Also Read: 5 big CCS decisions taken by India after Pahalgam Terror Attack
How will the Indus Water Treaty suspension affect Pakistan?
The suspension of the treaty will greatly affect Pakistan, as the agreement controls the use and allocation of water from the Indus river system and its tributaries, which are essential for Pakistan’s water requirements and agricultural sectors.
- The Indus River Network, which includes Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlage rivers, serves as the major water resources of Pakistan, supporting the population of millions.
- This treaty will affect Pakistan as it receives about 80% of the total water flow, which are important for agriculture in Pakistan, especially in the provinces in Punjab and Sindh.
- Pakistan depends largely on this water supply for irrigation, farming and potable water.
- The agriculture sector contributes 23% to Pakistan’s national income and supports 68% of its rural residents.
- The Indus Basin supplies 154.3 million acres of water annually, which is important to irrigate extensive agricultural areas and ensure food security.
- Any obstruction in water flow will affect Pakistan’s agricultural sector, an important component of its economy and rural livelihood.
- Due to the availability of low water, crop yield will be reduced, lack of food and economic instability in rural areas dependent on farming.
- Pakistan is already facing important
water management Issues such as lack of ground water, salinization of agricultural land and limited water storage capacity. - The country’s water storage capacity is low, with only 14.4 MAF joint live storage with major dams such as Mangla and Tarbela, which is just 10% of Pakistan’s annual water share under the treaty.
- The suspension increases these weaknesses by cutting a guaranteed water supply, leaving Pakistan with less options to manage its water needs.
