Fair share in resources

There is a desperate need for the government to come up with a new resource distribution formula

Two of Pakistan’s largest natural resources, natural gas and water, are only available in an increasingly dwindling quantity, besides facing a lot of competition for its use. Two provinces of the country have in the past couple of days come out against what they claim an unfair distribution of these resources.

In a letter to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), the Balochistan government has complained that the province was getting only 60% of its share of water from Sindh, with the latter accused of extracting more water than its allocation under the Water Apportionment Accord agreed among the provinces in 1991. This, Balochistan has argued, will leave the province in a disadvantageous position, especially in light of the annual canal closures of the Mangla and Tarbela reservoirs.

Separately, Sindh has complained to the Centre over a cut in its gas supply despite the fact that under the 18^th constitutional amendment, Sindh had the first right of consuming gas being produced in the province. SSGC Managing Director Amin Rajput has also conceded that Sindh was facing a shortage of 115 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) in the winter apart from low pressure due to zero-rated industry, which was not included in the load management plan last year.

That the country has a limited supply of natural resources such as gas and water has been apparent for years. It has been exacerbated by a bulge in the country’s population and a growing need for the industry. There is, therefore, a desperate need for the government to come up with a new resource distribution formula. Moreover, a mechanism needs to be devised which keeps a check on provinces so that one does not infringe on the rights of the other province. If the provinces do not work together, they will fail together.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26^th, 2018.

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