Read Palijo’s Book to Become an Advocate of the Indus
Book Review By: Kalavanti Raja
As Pakistan grapples with an intensifying water crisis, the seminal work “Sindh-Punjab Water Dispute (1859–2003)” by the late Rasool Bux Palijo has reemerged as an essential reference point in national discourse. Far from being just a historical account, this book is a profound political and ecological manifesto—a compass for understanding the deep-rooted tensions that continue to shape interprovincial water politics today. At a time when controversial projects such as corporate farming, the Greater Thal Canal (GTC), additional canal proposals, and the Kalabagh Dam threaten the already fragile balance of Pakistan’s water distribution, Palijo’s work offers clarity, context, and a call to action. The ongoing disputes over the interpretation of the IRSA (Indus River System Authority) Act and the persistent allegations of water theft and misallocation have made it necessary for citizens, policymakers, and activists to revisit the foundational narratives of this crisis—and none is more comprehensive and passionately argued than Palijo’s.
Palijo’s “Sindh-Punjab Water Dispute” spans over a century of systemic exploitation and resistance, from the colonial manipulation of canal systems to modern federal neglect. It meticulously documents how the natural flow of the Indus River was altered to benefit upstream provinces, especially Punjab, at the cost of Sindh’s ecological and agricultural health. But the book is not merely a chronicle of grievances—it is a profound plea for justice, federal equity, and environmental sustainability. It frames the water issue not just as a technical or engineering problem, but as a matter of constitutional rights, ecological survival, and the dignity of federating units.
Palijo’s legacy is more than literary or intellectual—it is lived and ongoing. For over 35 years, he championed Sindh’s right to water through political mobilization, legal advocacy, and relentless public education. He stood among the earliest and most vocal critics of the Kalabagh Dam, not only through speeches and writings but also through protests and court battles. He transformed water into a symbol of collective identity and survival for Sindh’s people. His voice carried the pain of the Indus delta, the drying riverbeds, and the crumbling livelihoods of millions whose lives are tied to the flow of water. His activism awakened generations, especially in rural Sindh, to the importance of informed resistance and legal struggle.
In today’s Pakistan, where tensions over water sharing are escalating and interprovincial trust is eroding, Palijo’s book serves as a moral and political compass. The growing protest from provinces like Sindh, KP, and Balochistan against upstream water monopolization reflects the very dangers Palijo warned against decades ago. The public is now beginning to understand that the crisis is not accidental—it is the result of historical patterns of control and marginalization. Students, intellectuals, journalists, and grassroots activists are increasingly turning to Palijo’s work not just for information, but for empowerment. The book bridges past and present, turning abstract debates into tangible truths that speak to everyday struggles.
“Sindh-Punjab Water Dispute (1859–2003)” is not just a book—it is a legacy. It is a cry from the delta, a roar of resistance from the margins, and a torch of truth in times of darkness. Reading it today is not merely an academic act; it is a political responsibility and a moral imperative. As Pakistan navigates one of the most critical phases of its environmental and federal future, Rasool Bux Palijo’s work remains a living document—powerful, prophetic, and profoundly necessary. In an era where truth is often suppressed and history forgotten, this book revives both. It calls on us to understand, to engage, and above all—to resist.
