BLOG
October 9th, 2008
Via The Hindu, a report of increased tension between Pakistan and India over water. As the article notes:
“…Accusing India of having “stolen” its share of Chenab river water, Pakistan on Monday threatened to seek arbitration by neutral experts over it even as the two countries prepared to discuss the issue later this month.
“India should concede violations of the Indus Waters Treaty. If they do not accept the violations in the Treaty, then it would be a big setback to Treaty (and give the impression) that India is not serious about implementing the Treaty,” Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah told Aaj TV.
He said Pakistan has documentary evidence that its due share of water has been “stolen” from the Chenab river.
India should release Pakistan’s share of river waters and if it is not done, Pakistan will have the option to take the issue to the court of arbitration or to neutral experts, Shah said.
India has already said the reduced water flow in Chenab for a few days was due to lesser availability.
Shah’s threat came ahead of his talks with his Indian counterpart G Ranganathan in New Delhi expected on October 20.
In the upcoming meeting, the Pakistani side will ask India how the Baglihar dam on Chenab was filled recently if the water was in less quantity, he said.
“If water is scarce, the Indus Waters Treaty forbids the filling of the reservoir. If they filled their reservoir despite scarcity, this was definitely from Pakistan’s share,” he added.
The Pakistani delegation is also expected to visit the Baglihar Dam for a first-hand assessment of the situation.”