Remaining Water Resources Potential

Surface Water Potential

In terms of the quantum of the surface water resources, the flows of Indus and its tributaries, available to Pakistan, are the most significant. The meager and highly variable flows of all other streams, offer only, a limited potential for adding to the stock of water.

Season wise the situation is that during Rabi all the natural river flows are captured, and the diversions are augmented from the storage releases. The out flow to the sea during this season is negligible. During Khairf, however, the river flows exceed the diversion by highly variably amount and end up in the sea.

The water out-flowing to the sea, amounting to 50.60 BCM (41.02 MAF) thus represent a potential source for the future development of the water resources. 

Apart from the water going to the sea, there are large water losses in the irrigation systems. These losses are due to conveyance losses in the distribution system which are lost to evaporation and due to seepage from the conveyance channels and from the fields which constitute groundwater recharge. The seepage that takes place in areas where the groundwater is brakish is not retrievable for reuse and its saving can add to the water resources. 

Groundwater Potential

Recent estimates of the availability and use of groundwater of an acceptable quality indicate that this resource has been heavily exploited. There are indications that in some areas, the annual groundwater pumpage exceeds the safe annual yields and the water table is declining. It is only in small area and under restrictive conditions, that additional use-able groundwater can be exploited. 

In an overall context, the safe groundwater yield is estimated to be 67.85 BCM (55 MAF), whereas the extraction is of the order of 59.21 BCM (48 MAF). Thus the remaining groundwater potential is about 8.63 BCM (7 MAF) representing a possible increase of about 14 per cent only.

Water Resource Development 

Small Scale Water Development 

Apart from the major surface water development based on the flows of Indus and its tributaries, the infrequent flows, in the smaller streams have been developed through traditional means such as Rod Kohi, and more recently attention has been paid to the construction of small dams in the upland areas for local uses. All these developments are typical of water scarce environments and subject to the extreme variability in precipitation. 

Groundwater Development

A significant feature impacting on the country's water resources, has been the massive development of groundwater from the Indus Basin aquifer during the last 40 years. Initial development of groundwater, as a supplement to surface irrigation, was the outcome of the Salinity Control and Reclamation Projects (SCARPs) under which large capacity (60 to 150 lit/sec) tube-wells were installed in the public sector in the irrigated area to control water-logging. From 1960 to 1985 over 15,000 fresh water tube-wells were installed in the SCARPs when such development was relegated to the private sector. The demonstration effect of the SCARP tube-wells, however spurred the development of groundwater in the private sector by the use of small capacity (30 lit/sec) tube-wells From 1964 to 1996, the number of tube-well in the country jumped from 27,000 to 469,546 which represents an average growth rate of 9.4 percent. These private tube-wells 80 percent of which are diesel operated, are mostly located in the canal commands where they supplement the canal supplies. 

Water Resource Development 

Major Surface Water Development

The major surface water development in the country has been based on the use of river waters of the Indus and its tributaries. This development which dates back to the middle of the 19th century was based on diverting the natural river flows. Initially the diversion of high flows was attempted in inundation or seasonal canals, but with progressive weirs or barrages across the rivers by controlling the water levels, make it possible to utilize the low Rabi flows for perennial irrigation and also permitted the transfer of waters across and through other rivers to the distantly located irrigable lands. 

For sharing the international waters of the Indus and its tributaries, the Indus Water Treaty was signed with India in 1960, accordingly to which India acquired the exclusive right to the waters of three Indus tributaries Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, and the irrigation systems in Pakistan dependent on these rivers had to be fed by the Indus and its tributaries, the Jehlum and the Chenab, assigned to Pakistan. This required the construction, with donor support, of the Mangla Dam (reservoir live capacity (6.58 BCM (5.34 MAF), Tervela Dam  (reservoir live capacity 11.59 BCM (9.4 MAF), five barrages eight inter-river link canals, linking the rivers Indus, Jehlum Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej, a syphon under the Sutlej river and remodeling of some existing barrages and link canals. Although these works were regarded as replacement work they also incorporated certain development aspects.

Both the Mangla and Terbela Dams, apart from meeting the irrigation water requirements were used for power generation and presently have an installed capacity of 1000 MW and 3478 MW respectively. These two dams, and the Chashma Barrage in which a small storage element of 0.62 BCM (0.5 MAF) was built in, serve as storages for the inter-seasonal transfer of water for meeting the irrigation requirements during the low flow periods. The Chashma Barrage has also been utilized for power generation and presently a low-head hydro-power station with an installed capacity of 184 MW is under construction.   

Following the construction of the replacement work under the Indus Water Treaty, no significant development based on the waters of the Indus and its tributaries, has taken place except for the construction of new irrigation canal (CRBC) from the Chashma Barrage, which on completion would irrigate an area of 0.23 Mha 90.568 MA).

For improving the control over the river flows and for power generation, a major dam on the Indus downstream from Tarbela, was planned in 1984. This Dam would have provided a storage 7.52 BCM (6.1 MAF) and added 3600 MW of hydro-power to the generating capacity. The construction of this dam however could not be taken up due to the controversies surrounding its adverse impacts.  

The surface irrigation system which is now all weir controlled, covers the world's largest contiguous irrigated area. It comprises of three storage reservoir (Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma with total original live capacity of 18.80 BCM (15.24 MAF), 16 barrages, 12 inter river link canals, 2 syphons, 43 main canals and 134, 000 watercourses or farm channels. The total designed diversion capacity of main canal is 7,249 cumecs (256,000 cusecs).

These features provide an opportunity for managing the surace supplies and canal system. 

The irrigation system dependent as it is on the variable flows of the Indus and its tributaries, commands a gross irrigable area of 16.85 Mha (41.46 MA) of which 14 Mha (34.59MA) is culturable command area (CCA) to which water is allocated. The perennial canal supply is available to 8.6 Mha (21.25 MA) while the remaining area is entitled to irrigation supplies only during  the Kharif season. The annual canal diversions which were 82.65 BCM (67 MAF) at the time of independence in 1947 have increase to 104.86 BCM (85 MAF) in 1967 and to 128.29 BCM (104 MAF) in 1975 after the commissioning of Mangla. At present 130.76 BCM (106 MAF) water is diverted for irrigation purposes.

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT

The Present Situation

The achievement of Water Vision is dictated by a consideration of the present position and how the present initiatives need to be channeled to achieve the desired objective. In respect of Water Resources Development and Management, the position has therefore been characterized, as a starting point, in the following section.

Available Water Resources

 

The water resources available to the country are the natural precipitation, the surface water and the groundwater. In the arid to the sub-tropical climate of the country, the natural precipitation is scanty. Over half the country receives less than 200 mm of annual rainfall, and rainfall in excess of 400 mm occurs only in about 20 percent of the northern areas. Apart from being scanty, the precipitation is distributed quite unevenly over the season and in a major part of the country this is concentrated in the 3 to 4 months of the summer monsoon. Despite its meager amount, rainfall is utilized for rain-fed agriculture and for meeting the drinking water needs of the people and livestock and contributes to the livelihood of a small but vulnerable portion of the population.

 

The source of surface water available to Pakistan are its rivers. Most of these rivers in the western half of the country, are ephemeral steams that remain dry for most of the year. It is the Indus river and its tributaries with perennial flows, that constitute the main source of water supply.

 

The Indus and it tributaries, have their sources in the Himalayan mountain and the Hindu Kush, with a total drainage area of 944,569 sq km, which extends beyond the country's territorial limits. The inflow to these rivers mainly derived from snow and glacier melt and rainfall in the catchment areas. The tributaries of the Indus, originating in India but flowing into Pakistan are the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi and Sutlej (with a major tributary Beas). Originating in Afghanistan, the other major tributary is the Kabul River.

 

Under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960, the flows of the three Eastern Rivers, (Sutlej, Beas and Ravi) have been allocated to India, whereas with minor exceptions, Pakistan is entitled to all the water of the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab). The average annual inflow of the Western Rivers at the rim stations (the most important gauging stations enter the Indus Plains is 172.70 BCM (140 MAF). This constitutes the main source of water supply for the country.

 

Although the surface flows of the Indus rivers and its tributaries available to Pakistan are quite significant these, are characterized by a great variation. Against the average annual inflow of 172.70 BCM (140 MCF), the long term historic data from 1922-23 to 1996-97 indicates a high of 230.42 BCM (186.79 MAF) or 30% below average in 1974-75. Apart from the large annual fluctuation, there is a large seasonal variation in these flows as well. The inflows during the six months of the summer cropping season of Kharif average 142.09 BCM (115.18 MAF) while the flows in remaining six months of the Rabi Season are 27.21 BCM (22.06 MAF) or only 16% of the average annual.

The quantity of surface waters in the Indus and its tributaries is excellent from all point of view. At the rim station the waters have total dissolved solids (TDS) ranging from 100 to 200 ppm and they do not represent any sodicity hazards. Although over the years drainage waters have been discharged into the rivers, the quality of the water even at the Kotri Barrage which is the last diversion point on the Indus, is characterized by a maximum value of TDS between the range of 150 and 350 ppm.

In addition to the surface water, groundwater is another important source of water supply. Investigations have established the existence of a vast aquifer with an areal extent of 194,000 sq. Km (74,904 sq mi) underlying the Indus Plains which has been recharged in the geological times from natural participation and river flows and more recently by the seepage from the canal system. Although the quality of the groundwater in the Indus Basin aquifer is highly variable, both a really and with depth, it is estimated that 67.85 BCM (55 MAF) of groundwater representing the safe yield, could be withdrawn annually for beneficial uses.

Outside the Indus Plains, the availability of groundwater has also been investigated through extensive sub-surface exploration and it has revealed the presence of useable groundwater in limited quantities in alluvial fans and valley aquifer.

 

 

 

Gender Mainstreaming

There are several areas relating to water which concern women, such as domestic water supply or irrigation water use where women are the owners of the irrigated lands, but women are excluded in matters pertaining to water development and management. Women are virtually absent form public sector departments that deal with water. The NGO sector has limited participation of women as does the private sector. Although women are not formally banned from joining the Water User Association (WUAs), they do not find a representation in them. Irrigation management is generally considered to be the domain of men. There has been some effort to involve women in village level committees that are organized for the provision of domestic water supply and sanitation. These efforts need to be strengthened and built upon.

 

Core Challenges/Issues

 

• How do we ensure that aspirations of both genders are incorporated in the decision-making regarding the planning, management, operation and maintenance of water resources.
• How do we ensure participation of women and the more vulnerable section of society in decision-making of water resources that directly impacts their workload, productivity and incomes.
• How do we ensure equal access to both genders in their allocation and use of water resources.

 

Core Objective

• The existing gender disparities in Pakistan are so severe that they first need to be rectified through a focused approach which directly improves women's access, decision-making and participation in the use, management and development of water resources. To recognize that women's needs are legitimate and deserve the same level of consideration as those of other users.
• Once the above is achieved, to mainstream  gender perspective in the water sector to ensure that the interests and needs of women as well as those of men are systematically pursued in the development of all national/regional policies and programs. Attention to gender issues should not be confined to a sector called "Women's Development" or addressed through isolated or marginal programs within the water sector
• Ensuring effective women's participation in decision-making at all levels regarding water resources and in decisions which directly or indirectly impact their workload, productivity and incomes.

Strategies

• Greater awareness raising about the necessity of incorporating gender concerns and a gender orientation in institutions dealing with the water sector.
• Creation of institutional forums at the village and neighborhood level which enable female participation and representation in the use of village level resources.
• Enhance the incentives and opportunities for women professionals to join the public and private sector institutions dealing with water sector.

Proposed Action

 

• Build capacity to increase the understanding of gender implications for water management, as part of an effort to empower women so that they can acquire the skills to enter water management at a senior level. This involves an increase in technical and scientific education offered to women.
• A proactive effort to gender sensitize water management approaches at senior policy making levels in national structure as part of a strategy to ensure equity and increased women's involvement in these process.
• Genre training for men and women working in water-related national and regional bodies, non-governmental organizations and private water companies.

Research and Development (R&D)

The effective with which the myriad actions with multiple dimensions are carried out to achieve the country's Water Vision, would depend upon the soundness with which the actions are conceive. This represents the need for information derived from research and whose practical applicability has been demonstrated. Research has been carried out and continues to be carried out by separate disciplines with a narrow focus without the full realization that the application of the research results has to pass through a technological stage and has to pass test of social acceptability. In this environment basic research has to be integrated with technological development and the consideration of sociological and economic aspects for putting the findings into practice.

 

There are many areas of research impacting on water development and its effective utilization, some of which such as desalinization of water or production of energy from unconventional sources require massive investments in research. Within the limited resources, in a country such as Pakistan, the research effort therefore has to be limited to the adoption of known research results through appropriate technologies using pilot programmes and demonstration project.

 

Core Objectives

 

The core objective in R&D can be stated as the networking of the existing research institutions to develop practical solutions to the problems in an integrated framework, while making the best use of the research results from around the word.

 

Strategies

 

The strategies which can be followed for an effective R&D initiative are:

 

• Redefining the roles of the existing research institutions so as to establish a complimentarily in their working
• Establishing networks of research institutes in specific research areas and assigning the lead role to the institute with the most comparative advantage.
• Developing research agendas which would support the FFA.
• Establishing a close coordination between the implementing agencies and research institutes.

 

Proposed Action

 

• Entrust to the PCRWR (Pakistan Council of Research in Water Research) the lead role for developing in cooperation with all development agencies, a National Research Agenda.
• Establish a limited number of research network for specific topics impacting on the FFA.

 

 

Institution

There are many institutions working in the Water Sector in Pakistan which include Federal and Provincial Organizations, public agencies, semi-autonomous bodies, corporations, NGOs and community organizations. However, water use and management is undertaken in a manner which is very subject specific. Thus the institutions dealing with irrigation water, domestic water supply, hydropower generation, industrial water supply and waste water disposal are all separate. For a holistic approach for the need for a broad integration in the water sector.

 

The institutions as they exist, with centralized decision-making structure and lack of accountability, face common problems of low delivery efficiency, high O&M costs, low cost recovery and consequent poor maintenance of infrastructure. what is more, the institutions have a limited charter, with aspects relating to planning, monitoring and evaluation, financing and pricing being left to other agencies. The institutions, by and large are insolated from the beneficiaries of their operations and there are no mechanisms whereby the grievances of the affected people could be rectified. this highlights the need for the active participation of the stakeholders in decision-making in a meaningful manner. These institutional problems needs to be addressed urgently in Pakistan.

 

Core Challenges/Issues

 

• Integrated Water Resources Management: How do we restructure the existing institutional infrastructure for water in a manner that is conductive to integrated water resource management. Do we consider it necessary to create new institutional arrangements or is it possible to work within the existing system for greater integration of the water sector.
• Conservation & Efficiency: How we change the orientation of the staff of our institutions and create a system of incentives that will be more conservation oriented in terms of use of water and enhance the efficiency of the system.
• Sustainability: How do we preserve the investment in the physical infrastructure in the water sector, recover costs for water use and the operation and maintenance of the system and ensure community participation in scheme planning, management and maintenance for sustainability.
• Gender Concerns: How do we incorporate the concerns of women and the poor in institutions that are not only male dominted but in which the participation of women is negligible and there is no field staff and no institutions forum at the village level for the participation of women equivalent to the Water User Association, etc. Furthermore the concerns of the poor and the more vulnerable sections of society are not reflected either.

Core Objective

 

• Coordinating the activities of all the institutions dealing with water or impacting on water, at the Federal and Provincial levels for ensuring integrated water resource development and management.
• introducing institutions reforms to allow for the participation of stakeholders in decisions making. Enhancing institutional efficiency through monitoring, evaluation and feed back, while ensuring accountability and transparency.
• Monitoring of performance of institutions.

Strategies

• Integrated water resources management through networking and reinforcing a networking idea among partners and through integrated planning which looks upon the basin as a unit. The establishment of a fully independent body which is de-politicized and can act as the custodian for the use, management and development of water resources in an integrated manner.
• Involving the stakeholders in the decision-making functions of the institutions.
• Introducing transparency in the working of the institution.
• Introducing performance criteria and system of rewards and punishment based on them.

Proposed Actions

• The Planning Division at the Federal level and the Planning and Development Department at the Provincial Level should develop in constitution with concerned agencies mechanisms for integrating the functions in the water sector, so that the inter-related issues could be continually kept in review and steps evolved to deal with them.
• Critically review the working of the existing institutions in water, through institutional studies, to determine the changes required for improving the performance.
• Introducing a system of performance monitoring of the institutions for needed actions by the controlling public bodies.

POLICY PRESCRIPTION & IMPLEMENTATION

 

 

Core Issues

 

At present there is no comprehensive water policy, Policies that are in vogue, are derived largely from the laws that had been promulgated for specific matters relating to water use and which are not necessarily inter-related. Policy prescriptions have been laid down from time to time for some aspects relating to water. In this disjointed policy framework recognition of and coherence to fundamental principal is lacking. Moreover all the policies have been imposed without involving those who may be affected by them. As a result disputes pertaining to water use its development have continue and continue to impact on future development and inefficiencies in water use are being perpetrated.

 

 

Core Objectives

 

 

The core objective is to develop, with the broadest consensus, a comprehensive Water Policy which would lead to sustainable and the most effective utilization and conservation of all the available water resources for the benefit of all the people of the country.

 

 

Strategies

 

 

For evolving the comprehensive Water Policy while involving those who would be affected by it the following strategies are proposed:-

 

• Fostering the formulation of "water users groups" by the concerned organizations at different levels.
• Information dissemination to the "water users groups" on the present policy (and laws) and their implications.
• Studies, on all policy elements, which should be covered by the comprehensive policy and discussion thereon by the concerned water users and the interacting agencies (studies under the NDP are a step in the right directions).
• Drafting of Draft Policy and nation wide deliberation thereon.

Proposed Action

The Federal Government through the Planning Division, should initiate the process of policy formulation, actively involving the Provincial Governments and other stakeholders so that the policy could be adopted in a period of 3 years.

The process of policy formulation should be taken up connectivity with a review of the existing laws so as to define the legal framework which should be put in place to give affect to the policy.

 

 

 





STRATEGIES

 

 

Mobilizing political will and commitment for good governance at the highest level as the key for sustainable and efficient management of the water sector. As such the principal strategy will be to secure the participation and commitment of our political leaders.

 

 

Proposed Action

 

 

Secure the commitment  of the political leadership and government line agencies to the objectives through a program of awareness raising, information dissemination, system of rewards and punishments.



GOVERNANCE

 

The and planning machinery of the public sector in Pakistan is highly centralized. Similarly, the water sector is characterized by centralized decision-making in terms of all major decisions regarding the fixing of water rates, collection and assessment system, operation and maintenance, etc. The centralized system of decision-making was fueled by the failure of the government to invest in local level institutions and emerging problems. The local institutions were unable to fill the void that existed at the grass roots level. In the early 1990s there was a realization that the state system had failed on several accounts. The limited resources available to the public sector also indicated the extent to which the State had over committed itself. The record of both economic and political governance in Pakistan was poor and under successive regimes it has become even weaker. The governance of the water sector in symptomatic of this poor record in governance. Pakistan today stands at the threshold of a crisis in the water sector perpetuated by this failure to govern effectively.

 

Core Challenges/Issues

 

How do we ensure that the interests of those who are governed are served and protected by those who govern.

 

How do we ensure that the powers, instruments and tools of governance which are placed at the disposal of those who govern will not be misused and will be used to serve the national interest and protect the rights of the citizens.

 

How do we develop and manage our water resources in a more effective and intelligent manner in the face of competing demand.

 

How do we make the distribution of our water resources equitable.

 

How do we make the investments in the physical infrastructure for water sustainable.

 

How do we put in place effective and impartial mechanisms for conflict resolution acceptable to all parties.

 

Core Objectives

 

To have a vibrant civil society in which the NGOs, private sector, local communities and other representative of civil society actively collaborate to achieve the overall objectives of sustainable development in the country and in which the government will facilitate the process of negotiation and consensus building through an appropriate policy framework and from direct intervention to providing appropriate market signals.

 

To ensure that the interests of those who are governed are served and protected by those who govern.

 

To ensure that the powers, instruments and tools of governance which are placed at the disposal of those who govern are not be misused and will be used to serve the national interest and protect the rights of the citizens.

OVERARCHING ELEMENTS

 

The Pakistan Water Vision has as its overall objective the attainment of a status in which water resources development and management is integrated and sustainable. For this purpose the formulation of FFA provides the opportunity of putting into practice the accepted principles of integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and the concept to managing water at the basin level.

 

 

IWRM does not merely represent the integration of the different uses that are made of water (irrigation, drinking water, industrial use, the ecological function of water etc.) to take account of the way they influence each other. It is a concept that is much broder and which aims at establishing a sound basis for sustainable water use taking into consideration all the social and economic factors -- Governance Institutions, Management Instruments,  Financial aspects, Technologies, Research requirements, Capacity Building and Participation of all section of the society including women or Mainstreaming of Gender.

 

While for all water related activities, at the sectoral or sub-sectoral level, a holistic approach is required with full cognizance of IWRM, there is a need for an "Umbrella" under which these activities are pursued and which provides the guiding beacon. This aspect has been treated here, as the overarching elements, confined to those elements which are most relevant.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

Water Quality

Safe water will be available for consumption by all households, the quality of streams and rivers will be restored and the risk of contamination of water will be minimized by appropriate action. There will be amendment in the Water Act to incorporate the requirements for safe drinking water. The National Planning Action for Drinking Water Quality with National Drinking Water Quality Standards and Surveillance and Monitoring System will be fully in force. The formulation and enforcement of NEQS will be undertaken in a participatory, process. Trained institutional capacity for monitoring water quality on an on-going basis with capacity for enforcement. NGOs and other civil society organizations will paly an important role for consumers and farmers by raising awareness and monitoring the issues of water quality. 

 

Salt Balance

 

There is about 33 million tons of salt in the Indus River System of which only 8 million is discharged in the sea. The rest is retained in the soil. There will be appropriate investments in strategies that maintain the natural salt balance of the land and water resources. The salt balance in the soils will be such that the natural carrying capacity of the land will not be negatively impacted by excess salts.

 

Sedimentation Disposal

 

Most of the Indus Basin has been formed as a result of alluvial deposits brought by rivers from the mountainous ranges in the north. The Indus River carries 500 million tons of sediments on an annual basis. This silt has to be disposed off somewhere. It erodes the storage capacity of the reservoirs and the cost of removing it is prohibitive. A strategy will have been evolved for the effective disposal and the technical and financial capacity to implement the strategy will be available.

 

Drainage

 

A sustainable drainage policy and strategy will be developed with adequate resources available to invest in drainage and move towards the resolution of the problems of water-logging and salinity in Pakistan. Coordination and linkage between the irrigation and drainage functions will have been accomplished. There will be agreement on the amount of water that has to be drained to the sea keeping in mind the requirements of the lower riparian and costal areas, fisheries and mangrove forests.

 

Watersheds

 

The development and management of watersheds will be an integral part of Pakistan's investment plans. A national fund for watershed management will have been established with contribution from all provinces for the development of the upland areas.

 

Energy Use

 

The vision for the future is a hybrid system of energy supply in which indigenous, localized and renewable energy will be the main source of energy.

 

 

Sustainability

Cost Recovery

To have a system of cost recovery in place this pays for itself. The abiana is assessed and levied in a transparent and accountable manner and all costs are recovered and the system not only pays for itself but generates surplus revenue.

Water Pricing Policy

There will be a complete transformation from the existing situation in which all out institutions are based on the premise of affluent water. Water pricing policy will be in place which regulates not only the supply of water but its usage and leads to the efficient use of water. Institutional reform will have been undertaken which will lead to a mechanism for re-allocation based on value and availability of water.

Economic Growth & Development

Food Self Sufficiency

To attain self-sufficiency in production of food grains and generate exportable surpluses through optimal utilization, development and effective management of our water resources. Complete synergy in our use of our basic endowments and the successful implementation of an agriculture master plan designed to conserve Pakistan’s land and water resources. Complete modernization and up-gradation of our agriculture infrastructure. Production of high value crops and a complete shift in our traditional agricultural production practices. Increasing water productivity and developing rive rain, barani, desert, semi-desert and culturable waste lands, promotion of bio-saline framing and establishing agro-marketing service centers. Reconsideration our current cropping economic and trade regimes which are beneficial for the country.

Water Supply and Sanitation Coverage

To provide 100% coverage of safe water supply and sanitation to all householders in urban and rural areas with environmentally safe drainage and disposal services.

Conservation & Efficiency of Use

To have minimized the conveyance losses in the irrigation system, adopted efficient irrigation practices and moved to more efficient use of water through Changes. In the cropping patter, complete control and regulation of the water flow in the irrigation.

Development of Water Resources

To rehabilitate and invest in the existing system and have developed additional surface and groundwater resources and use of local water harvesting technologies like check dams, reservoirs, harnessing of hill torrents and other locally viable options to increase our water resources, specially for areas with lack of water resources.

Hydropower Development

National consensus in the development of hydropower of use as surface reservoir, irrigation and power generation.

Research & Technology Development

Development of the scientific and technological capacity in the country to make use of new developments in the area of energy use, desalinization of water, etc. capacity to network and keep abreast of development in other parts of the world is established and applied research is an essential component in each project.  

Pakistan’s Vision Statement

The components of Pakistan’s Vision Statement, as contained in the Country Report, and which would impact on the formulation of the FFA are brought out below:

Policy & Institutional Issues

Integration of Water Sector

Pakistan in 2025 envisages a complete transformation of the water sector into an integrated sector with complete co-ordination and link between the various departments and agencies working in the sector and availability of institution that addresses the problem of irrigated agriculture and interacts with farmers. There is expected to be integrated water resource management not through massive investments but through networking and reinforcing a networking idea among partners and through integrated planning which looks upon the basin as a unit.

Governance

As a part of good governance, Pakistan’s vision for the future is to have a government which acts as a catalyst and as a facilitator for the Private sector, local communities and representatives of civil society to achieve the overall objectives of sustainable development in the country. The government will facilitate the process through an appropriate policy framework and transform its role from “allocative planning to indicative planning” and from “directs intervention to market signals”. The quality and quantity of human endeavor will be the key to good governance.

Policy Forums for Discussion & Debate

Pakistan’s vision includes the existence of institutional forums where policy issues are discussed and debated and policy alternatives are considered with full knowledge and maturity. The political leadership of the country allows for open and accountable decision making.

Participation of Stakeholders

To have a water sector which is planned and managed through full participation of the stakeholders? In this vision, farmer’s institutions will be strengthened and farmers capacity for improved farming practices will be enhanced. The Planning Commission would act simply as a knowledge harnessing institution and there will be full participation of civil society in bringing in institutional reforms in the sector. Strong and will trained water user association and their federations will be empowered to take decisions which affect them.

Equity

Equity consideration will be incorporated in the allocation and distribution of water at all levels. These equity considerations will include the allocation of water between the provinces, between head and tail users, between different seasons and for different crops, etc.

Information Availability

Decision-making in the water sector will be based on accurate and timely information which is properly communicated and shared with all stakeholders. Real time data will be available on water flows at each diversion point along the Indus River System and this information will be shared with all users. Advance information on floods and other disasters like water-logging and salinity will be available and an early warning system will be in place to minimize the effect of natural disasters.

Conflict Resolution

There will be institutions and mechanisms in place with the capacity to effectively mediate and resolve water conflicts at the local, regional, national and international level.