NAME: SULEMAN MURTAZA

ROLL NO: 271048743

COURSE: GEOG-133

SECTION: B

INSTRUCTOR: AHSAN IQBAL

 ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY

INDUS WATER TREATY

 Introduction:
The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) was signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan under
the World Bank's supervision. It is considered one of the most significant water
sharing agreements in history. The six rivers of the Indus Basin were split between the
two countries; India kept control of the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) while
Pakistan was granted rights over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab).
Despite years of criticism, the treaty has proven to be an essential offer for Pakistan's
agricultural sustainability, water security, and conflict avoidance. In this essay ill be
discusiing how the Indus Water Treaty has benefitted Pakistan.

 Maintaining Water Security in Pakistan:

Before the treaty, water disputes between India and Pakistan were a source of tension.
India had the topographical advantage of being upstream and could have been able to
stop or divert water from the rivers that flowed into Pakistan. This problem was
settled by the treaty, which gave Pakistan authority over the western rivers, which
account for around 80% of the Indus Basin's overall water flow. For Pakistan, an
agricultural country where a significant portion of its population works in agriculture
and which makes a significant economic contribution, this allocation has been crucial.
Consistent irrigation is essential for crops like wheat, rice, and cotton, and Pakistan's
agricultural output would have been severely disrupted in the absence of the western
rivers' assured water supply. Through ensuring Pakistan's farmers a steady supply of
water, the pact reduced the possibility of food instability and droughts.

 Avoiding Water Conflicts with India:

The IWT has played a key role in maintaining peace between Pakistan and India over
water-related issues. Despite the hostile relationship between the two countries, the
 treaty has survived multiple wars and periods of tensionIt offers a precise legal
framework for water sharing and contains negotiation procedures including
international arbitration and the Permanent Indus Commission.Water disputes might
have turned into major wars in the absence of this agreement. India might have used
water as a weapon in times of conflict or political unrest because it controls the
sources of all six rivers. By requiring both countries to respect each other's water
rights, the treaty avoided situations like this. This has been a vital safety measure for
Pakistan, guaranteeing that its water supply cannot be suddenly shut off.

 Improving the Development of Infrastructure:

One of the most significant outcomes of the pact was the provision of financial and
technical support for the development of Pakistan's water infrastructure. The
agreement planned for the construction of dams, canals, and reservoirs to replenish
the water that Pakistan lost from the eastern rivers. As a result of the agreement,
important projects including the Tarbela Dam, the Mangla Dam, and link canals were
funded and built. These innovations have led to a major boost in Pakistan's ability to
handle and store water. For example, Pakistan now has significant hydropower
production capacity in addition to water storage thanks to the Mangla and Tarbela
dams, which are among the largest in the world. This has improved energy security,
promoted industrial growth, and reduced the country's reliance on fossil fuels.

 Protecting Pakistan’s Agricultural Economy:

Pakistan's agriculture is the foundation of the nation's economy, and the treaty has
guaranteed its continued existence and expansion. Pakistan's irrigation system would
not have functioned as well without the water from the western rivers. Water has now
reached regions that previously experienced water shortages because to the treaty's
building of canals and barrages. Furthermore, Pakistan has been able to increase its
agricultural output due to the steady water supply, which has improved food security
and increased exports. The assured flow from the Indus system has allowed for the
effective cultivation of crops that need a lot of water, such as cotton and rice. For
Pakistan's rural populace, the economic stability these agricultural efforts have
provided has been vital.
 Promoting International Cooperation:
The IWT has stood the test of time as a rare example of successful transboundary
water management. It is frequently used as a model for settling international water
conflicts. This has been a diplomatic victory for Pakistan because the deal has given
its water rights worldwide recognition. Pakistan has been able to contest Indian
attempts to construct projects that it believes violate the treaty, such the Kishanganga
and Ratle dams, through international arbitration. This framework has guaranteed the
peaceful resolution of any water-related disputes and provided Pakistan with a forum
to protect its interests. The international acceptance of the treaty has also improved
Pakistan's negotiating position by stopping India from acting independently in ways
that would risk Pakistan's water security.

 • Issues and Arguments Addressed:

While the IWT has been largely beneficial, some critics argue that Pakistan could
have negotiated a better deal. They argue that Pakistan's water supplies were limited
when India was given authority over the eastern rivers. These critiques, nonetheless,
frequently ignore the geopolitical context of the period. India had the benefit of
controlling the headwaters in 1960, whereas Pakistan was a new and comparatively
weaker state. Extended discussions or a refusal to sign the pact may have allowed
India to take advantage of Pakistan's upstream location. Furthermore, the treaty's
financial assistance enabled Pakistan to upgrade its water facilities something that
would not have been possible otherwise. Pakistan's economy and water management
have greatly benefited from the dams, canals, and barrages constructed as part of the
treaty's implementation.

 Reducing the Effects of Climate Change:

Pakistan's water management has faced increasing difficulties in recent years due to
climate change. Rising temperatures, irregular rainfall patterns, and glacial melting
are making water shortages more likely. Although the IWT is unable to address every
issue, the treaty's infrastructure and water-sharing arrangements have given rise to a
framework for handling various difficulties. For example, Pakistan has been able to
keep water during seasons of surplus because to the reservoirs constructed under the
 treaty, which can then be utilised during dry spells. Additionally, even if climate
change affects the region's water supply, the treaty guarantees Pakistan's capacity to
continue depending on the western rivers.

 Conclusion:
The foundation of Pakistan's economic stability and water security has been the Indus
Water Treaty. The treaty's guarantee of authority over the western rivers has helped to
build vital infrastructure, avoid wars with India, and secure a steady supply of water
for agriculture. Additionally, it has given Pakistan a framework for resolving conflicts
and defending its water rights internationally. The advantages of the IWT for Pakistan
much surpass its drawbacks, even if no agreement is perfect. In addition to protecting
Pakistan's water resources, the pact has aided in regional peace, food security, and
economic expansion. In a world where water disputes often lead to conflict, the IWT
stands as a testament to the power of diplomacy and cooperation in managing shared
resources. For Pakistan, it remains a vital agreement that continues to shape the
nation’s future.