WORDS BETWEEN LINES: DEVELOPMENT DISCOURSE ON DAMS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND A CLIMATE CHANGE FUTURE IN PAKISTAN by HENRY W. HOUSTON A THESIS Presented to the Department of International Studies and the Graduate School of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts June 2017 THESIS APPROVAL PAGE Student: Henry W. Houston Title: Words Between Lines: Development Discourse on Dams for Sustainable Development and a Climate Change Future in Pakistan This thesis has been accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Arts degree in the Department of International Studies by: Yvonne Braun Chairperson Anita M. Weiss Member Katie Meehan Member and Scott L. Pratt Dean of the Graduate School Original approval signatures are on file with the University of Oregon Graduate School. Degree awarded June 2017 ii © 2017 Henry W. Houston iii THESIS ABSTRACT Henry W. Houston Master of Arts Department of International Studies June 2017 Title: Words Between Lines: Development Discourse on Dams for Sustainable Development and a Climate Change Future in Pakistan Pakistan currently experiences a deficit in its energy supply and upcoming water shortage. Lack of energy negatively impacts the country's economy, and water shortage would put stress on its agriculture, for example. Furthermore, climate change will further exacerbate these two problems. Dams are considered as a solution because of their ability to manage water resources while generating electricity. Informed by Michel Foucault's power/ knowledge, the purpose of this thesis is to understand how energy and water professionals in Pakistan view sustainable development, and if dams can be considered as sustainable development and climate change adaptive infrastructure. Drawing on interviews in Pakistan, I found that professionals supported dams through mobilizing technocratic discourses that were perceived as apolitical. Yet, I also find that these discourses are political, and I discuss the ramifications of the mobilization of technical discourses that claim to be apolitical for future energy policy decisions in Pakistan. iv CURRICULUM VITAE NAME OF AUTHOR: Henry W. Houston GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOLS ATTENDED: University of Oregon, Eugene California State University, Monterey Bay Allan Hancock College, Santa Maria DEGREES AWARDED: Master of Arts, International Studies, 2017, University of Oregon Bachelor of Arts, Humanities and Communications, 2013, California State University, Monterey Bay Associate of Arts, English, 2010, Allan Hancock College AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST: Sustainable Development Pakistan Water Dams Climate Change PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Preparedness Coordinator, American Red Cross, 2017 Editor, Springfield Times, 2016-2017. International Studies Department Newsletter Editor and Designer, 2016 Graduate Teaching Fellow, University of Oregon, 2014-2016 International Studies Department Newsletter Designer, 2015 Contributor, Santa Maria Sun, 2009-2014 v GRANTS, AWARDS, AND HONORS: Thurber Award, Department of International Studies, University of Oregon, 2016 vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I want to open by saying I am indebted to each committee member for assisting me in this process. The insight, expertise, and patience they offered me throughout this process was instrumental for my success in completing this thesis. This thesis was able to get its feet on the ground and running thanks to the fact that Yvonne Braun always had an open office for me to brainstorm ideas. I also want to thank Anita Weiss for assisting me in coordinating my field research in Pakistan without which my experience would have been dramatically different, as well as always being a source of knowledge about Pakistan. Katie Meehan was also an instrumental committee member whose coursework inspired me to reimagine the role of water in society. Of course, a thank you is owed to the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation for empowering each employed graduate employee. Without the dedication of this union, I would have been deeply impacted by necessary medical procedures. My field research owes its success to the tremendous amount of hospitality I received while in Pakistan. From lunches and chai at Sustainable Development Policy Institute, valuable research advice from Dr. Imran Khalid and Dr. Abid Suleri, and the kindness from each Pakistani I encountered, who were always willing to help me in some way. I am forever grateful for each participant who offered his or her perspectives on dams. For some, this is their livelihood. And they were kind enough to not just share it with me but for me to put it under the metaphorical microscope. Lastly, thanks to my family and friends, who were a pillar of support. They not only supported me traveling to Pakistan but also provided encouragement whenever I hit roadblocks. Rebecca was a large part of this pillar and was always willing to provide a vii fresh set of eyes on drafts whenever necessary. I want to end with an overdue acknowledgment to my dad for taking me taking me to work with him when I was growing up. Who would have imagined all those days in rivers and visiting dams would lead to this. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1 Research Methodology ......................................................................................... 16 Limitations Of Study ............................................................................................. 20 Summary Of Chapters ........................................................................................... 22 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ....................................................................................... 24 Arrested Development .......................................................................................... 25 Knowledge And Its Keepers ................................................................................. 45 III. A HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF TECHNOCRACY AND DAMS IN PAKISTAN ...................................................................................................... 54 Technical Justification For Dams As Development ............................................. 55 The Road To The Indus Water Treaty .................................................................. 58 Lieftinck’s Image Of Pakistan .............................................................................. 66 Pakistan Continues Technical, Engineering Views .............................................. 69 Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 76 IV. PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON DAMS ................................................ 77 Professionals Define Sustainable Development ................................................... 78 Dams And Sustainable Development .................................................................. 80 Dams, Climate Change—And Politics? ................................................................ 90 Without Water Management, All Is Lost .............................................................. 98 Politicians Are Uniformed .................................................................................... 101 Dams As Sustainable Development ...................................................................... 105 ix Chapter Page Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 108 V. TALE OF TWO DAMS: KALABAGH AND DIAMER-BHASHA .................... 109 A Tale Of Two Dams ............................................................................................ 110 Discussion Of Themes .......................................................................................... 115 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 131 VI. CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................... 132 Near Future In Pakistan ........................................................................................ 137 Suggestions For Future Research .......................................................................... 144 Onward And Upward ............................................................................................ 145 APPENDIX: PARTICIPANTS .................................................................................. 149 REFERENCES CITED ............................................................................................... 150 x LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Administrative map of Pakistan (Government of Pakistan, 2014) ...................... 7 2. The Indus River System after Partition (Haines, 2014) ........................................ 58 3. Location of dams on the Indus System ................................................................ 69 4. Location of Kalabagh Dam and Diamer Bhasha Dam .......................................... 112 5. A map detailing the potential for connecting China and Pakistan ........................ 140 6. China investment into Pakistani sectors (Naseem, 2015). .................................... 141 xi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Power interruptions are barely noticed in Pakistan. It does not cause even a hiccup in daily life and operations. During my field research, I lost count of the amount of times I experienced