The Berlin Rules (2004) of International Water Law and Inter-Provincial Water Disputes in Pakistan

Abstract

Water is a precious commodity and has political, social and economic significance as well as playing a vital role in decision-making nationally and internationally. Due to the rise in population, industrialization, and urbanization, water resources are dwindling. The Indus River System is a single source for all the water requirements in Pakistan. As an agrarian economy, Pakistan’s economy heavily depends on agriculture production. Therefore, every province tries to use maximum water to meet their requirements without due regard to the interests of other riparian provinces. this practice leads to disputes between the provinces. The federal government of Pakistan has developed many arrangements for water allocation, but none of these efforts have solved water disputes among provinces in Pakistan. The current study highlights the issues that confront Pakistan today over water utilization practices, allocation and new projects construction and their solution through the Berlin Rules of international water law. Furthermore, this paper finds that the current situation of water crises in Pakistan is caused by the absence of a comprehensive and consolidated national water strategy, the undemocratic behaviour and purblind policies of the government. It is suggested that Pakistan must adopt the Berlin Rules (2004) in the absence of a solid national water policy for fair water allocation and equitable utilization between the provinces of Pakistan.