ISLAMABAD, Feb 11: The new water distribution formula presented by the NWFP to resolve the dispute between Punjab and Sindh envisages reducing former’s share by 1.28 per cent while increasing the latter’s share by the same percentage from their existing shares worked out on the basis of historical use.

“The formula has been devised in the spirit of give and take, but the initial response to it, from both Punjab and Sindh has been negative,” a source at Indus River Syestem Authority told Dawn on Monday.

Irsa Chairman Noor Mohammad Baloch and Irsa Secretary Sohail Allam Khan, when contacted separately by this correspondent, refused to give details of the new formula but shared its broad outlines.

They said that the plan suggested that the provincial shares should be determined by calculating average of the historical use and ratio fixed in the 1991 Water Accord.

The share of Punjab from the existing 54.62 per cent worked out on historical use would be slightly reduced and Sindh’s share of 45.37 per cent would be slightly increased.

The new formula, presented by Irsa’s NWFP member, has already been referred to the provincial governments, through their respective members at the authority, who would submit their comments at the next Irsa meeting to be held on Feb 28, Irsa Secretary Sohail Alam said.

The provincial members during coming Eid holidays would return to their provinces and there they would get an opportunity to discuss the new formula with their respective irrigation departments, he added.

However, a source at Irsa said the NWFP formula might not be accepted by the two provinces as they were not ready to give up even a fraction from their respective claims.

Sindh was demanding that water be distributed among the provinces as per the shares fixed in the historic 1991 Water Accord.

Whereas Punjab was of the view that during the period of shortages water distribution be made according to the historical use.

The dispute has been lingering on since 1994, and the successive governments, despite intervention at the highest level, failed to make the two provinces reach an agreement.

In another proposal, the Irrigation Department of Punjab had submitted that in case 103MAF or more water was available in the country’s rivers only then the distribution be made according to the share fixed in 1991 Water Accord, otherwise, it should be made on historical use.

Mr Baloch hoped that this year, during summer, ample quantity of water would be available in the country’s rivers.

He pointed out that catchment areas of river Kabul, had received snow after four years, similarly, catchment areas of Jehlum and Sindh had also received heavy snow.