- CGSS organises Int’l Conference on “Water: Future War and Peace in Sub-continent”
ISLAMABAD, December 10: On 10th December 2018, CGSS organized an International Conference on “Water: Future War and Peace in Subcontinent” at Margala Hotel, Islamabad. With decreasing availability and increasing demand for water the aim of the Conference was to highlight the increasing threat for future conflict.
The conference commenced with the opening remarks of Lieutenant General Muhammad Zahir Ul Islam, HI(M), (Retd) – Chairman CGSS who thanked the honorable speakers and participants of the Conference.
The Chief Guest of the conference His Excellency Mohammad Farogh Naseem – Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Government of Pakistan presented speech on “Water Sharing: A Critical Evaluation of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT)”. He stated that Indus River is the longest river in Asia and 47% of it falls in the territory of Pakistan. According to the article 3 of Indus Water Treaty, there must be unrestricted flow of water. India is using this water for building its technical infrastructure. However, the requirement of Pakistan is to use this water for basic agriculture and domestic needs. Usage of water for basic agriculture and domestic use is more important rather for establishment of the infrastructure. So this is an international human rights issue. The problem lies in the implementation of Indus Water Treaty. India time and again threatens Pakistan to cancel the treaty, however, it cannot do so, as this is the only treaty which cannot be terminated without mutual consent.The present situation is alarming and demands the resolution of this conflict through IWT, otherwise IWT is merely a piece of paper and if this conflict is not resolved now, it can lead to a bigger conflict in the future. World Bank must also play its role in this regard. Disturbing the timings of water flow is violation and must be taken into consideration.
Lieutenant General Muzammil Hussain, HI(M), (Retd) – Chairman Water And Power Development Authority (WAPDA) presented speech on Water Resource Management: Challenges & Opportunities for Pakistan. He stated that there is no need to panic, there is no water shortage, there is only a need to manage these resources efficiently. He stated that data regarding water resources is important as it is essential for research and future hydel projects. He stated that Pakistan is a water stressed country as per capita availability of water is low and we need to conserve, store and manage our water resources. Along with this, we need to handle our population growth. It is our strategic compulsion to save and store water because of our pattern of use and rainfall in the country.We have a disoriented development planning and there is a need to change it for the success of our future projects. Currently, we do not have sufficient finances to build water dams but we have to come up with more innovative financial mechanism. According to the vision 2050, 20-million-acre land will be under irrigation. In the end of his speech, he stated that in June 2019, the diamar bhasha dam will be made functional.
Dr. Hassan Abbas – Chairman, Forte, Integrated Water Resources Management, Lahore presented speech on Lack of Water Resource Management: A Myth or Reality. He stated that we are the signatories of Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG’s), therefore our future projects must comply with it. Indus delta is eroding and is going under the sea at the rate of 24 acres per day. He further stated that the independent flow of water is very important and we must return the water to the rivers. Pakistan can generate more from water than UAE can generate from oil and we should think globally but act locally.
Mr. Imtiaz Ali Qazilbash – Former Chairman, Planning Commissions Hydro Power and Alternative Energy Working Group presented speech on Melting Glaciers in Himalaya’s: A Growing Concern for the Subcontinent. He stated that Punjab has suffered the most from the water shortage. Government will start another series of projects under which 19 small dams will be built for efficient water management.
Dr. Azhar Ahmed-Head of Department, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad shared his views on War on Water Crisis between India and Pakistan. He stated that according to the report presented by Economic Cooperation Organization in 2030, 47% of global population will be living in highly water stressed environment. In my opinion, it is the responsibility of the scholars to provide the solution of peace and war. – PR
