How did the Indus Waters Treaty support the construction of dams and canals in Pakistan?

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The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, was essential in resolving the water-sharing dispute that arose following the 1947 partition of British India. By assigning the waters of the three western rivers—the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—to Pakistan, the treaty provided a framework for the country to secure its water supply.1234

To compensate for the loss of water from the eastern rivers (reserved for India), the treaty facilitated the construction of a massive infrastructure network in Pakistan, funded largely by member countries of the World Bank. This included:34

  • Major Dams: The treaty provided for the construction of the Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River and the Tarbela Dam on the Indus River, which serve as critical water storage and hydroelectric power sources.34
  • Link Canals and Barrages: The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority built extensive systems of link canals and barrages to divert water from the western rivers to eastern areas that previously relied on water now assigned to India.3