Our failure to stop India from abiding by the Indus Waters Treaty has sparked off a serious row among the provinces over the division of canal waters. The distressing thing is that it is Punjab, the breadbasket of the country, that has been badly hit by Indias water diversion. There have been reports that three Indian NGOs are busy funding elements within the farmers community and two of the countrys political parties to not only oppose the construction of Kalabagh Dam but also violate the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991. This explains why the inter-provincial conflict over the implementation of the accord has reached such a degree. Even last year, Southern Punjab had to sacrifice 89 percent of its water which seriously impacted cotton crops. First, we are complacently allowing India to divert Indus waters through scores of dams it is building in the disputed valley of Kashmir. Secondly, we are clamouring amongst ourselves whether to have large reservoirs or not, even though the situation calls for their construction. It is a crying shame that the federal government is depriving Punjab of its share of water when there are no two opinions that it will cause a serious food crisis all over the country. The composition of IRSA itself has been yet another factor that accounts for the discrimination meted out to Punjab. That its share of water is being given to Sindh merely to please some landlords is all the more disturbing. It is understandable that the crisis has reached to the point where it is causing inter-provincial disharmony. The farmers community is up in arms since the reduced water flow is making them lose their livelihood. Under the circumstances, the government must see to it that Punjab is not victimised. Most importantly, India must be forced to respect the Indus Waters Treaty in letter and in spirit and give up construction of illegal dams. The anti-Kalabagh lobbies should be put in check. We must also learn to follow the Water Apportionment Accord of 1991. Pakistans water crisis necessitates urgent building of Kalabagh Dam and other water reservoirs and conservation measures. If it was not that crucial to our survival, India would not be paying off people within the country to oppose it.