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| India-Pakistan |
| An act of treason |
| 2008-03-15 |
| By MIAN AZIZ-UL-HAQ QURESHI It is surprising to note that the Government of Pakistan seems satisfied at the unjust decision of the World Bank's mediator on the question of Baglihar Dam. The fact is that its construction will lead to an irreparable loss of Pakistan's economy, political stability and ideological frontiers. Apart from an unprecedented huge loss of water, its construction will prove to be a death knell for our Defence too. It must be noticed that Baglihar's construction is an illegal act in the light of Indus Water Treaty signed in September 1960. Through this treaty, it was agreed upon between the two countries that India will have the right on run of the river of Ravi, Sutlej and Beas whereas Pakistan will enjoy complete right of Chenab, Jhelum and Sindh waters. It should be noted here that it was an unwise step on the part of the government to ask for mediation to an ineffective body which has cunningly provided opportunity to India to play the game as it likes thereby resulting into ratification of her international crime at the behest of the World Bank. This is highly dangerous for Pakistan. We must take into account the Indian nefarious designs. We should have dealt with the situation at the very outset. It is because of our remissness that India, by violating Indus Water Treaty, has already constructed about sixteen small and big size dams under Hydel Power Project on River Chenab. This is a violation of the Treaty. Not once, but several times, India has been repeatedly committing violations against the Agreement because of Pakistan's negligence. The result of this negligence is the illegal construction of Salal Dam on Chenab by India. Baglihar is so huge that only in one day, it can decrease Pakistan's six to seven thousand cubic ft water. India has the capacity to store our water in these dams in three months. Such an act can cause unparallel havoc for Pakistan especially its agriculture. Now let us have a look at the Defence of Pakistan. It may be noted that Marala Headworks on the river Chenab has significant importance. Its water is thrown in Ravi which is further distributed to different border area canals. In this context Marla Headworks can work until the run of the river Chenab is not intruded. If the flow decreases it will adversely affect the whole Punjab Canal System. The point is that in case the water of Chenab is blocked it will not only damage the irrigation system but at the same time it will paralyse the Defence Line too. In such a state of affairs, one is constrained to learn as to why such a trivial question remained unnoticed by the people at the helm of affairs. It is unfortunate that we are not taking the question seriously that Chenab's water is the only source of all products being grown in our country. India is storing every drop of our water in Kashmir and according to Mr Chakrawarti, irrigation Minister of India, who had already threatened Pakistan in 2002 that India will withdraw itself from World Bank Agreement and make Pakistan barren. It may also be noted that India had tried to construct Wuller Barage on river Jhelum but thanks to the mujahideen who blew it up otherwise it would have become a problem for Pakistan by now. It may also be added here that some other projects are also being materialised on Kishan Ganga and efforts are being made to stop Sindh's water. The question is as to why the people at the top are silent since 1999 when a calculated attack was launched on our Defence System. It was necessary for them to put an end to it immediately. What was the sense in it to take the matter to the World Bank when 80% of its construction work had been completed. The World Bank simply put some technical restrictions and gave walk over to India to carry on. During the same period, India remained busy erecting fences on our border. We kept mum. And, still the irony is that we claim our criminal negligence to be our success. It is a fact that India has turned its deserts of Rajisthan into a fertile green land on one hand and on the other, she is bent upon turning our fertile areas into a desert. When the right of run of the river has been accepted, who will stop India's further aggressions? Is it such a simple question that we should wait and see the Indian attitude without uttering a word of caution? It is a question of our life and death. Silence from our side will mean turning Pakistan into a desert thereby dissolving Pakistan's Defence giving opportunity to India to materialise its plans of Akhand Bharat. In this context we shall have to ponder over the matter carefully and find the ways to protect our country from the Indian adventure. First of all we must accept our fault that we went to the World Bank without taking into account that the matter was purely a political one and not a technical problem. The fact is that the matter lost its significance the moment India made open violation of the Treaty by constructing the Dam. India began its construction by force and plans to thrust its hegemony. It is only apolitical crisis deeply linked to our Defence. Therefore, the matter can only be solved through a political dialogue and in case, India does not respond actively, then we must gird up our loins and be ready for war. Immediate solution to this problem is that we should take up the question boldly asking for the whole of Kashmir and should bring it back to point one. It is important to note that before India withdraws itself from the Agreement, we should declare with courage that since India is utilising Indus Water Treaty for its benefit thereby causing damage to Pakistan, therefore, in such a situation we are no more a party to it. We wish that India should stop any further aggression and should remove all its installations and constructions on our rivers. In case it does not respond, all future talks with India should be discontinued. And last of all, make it clear that Pakistan will not hesitate to go for a war to get its rights back. |
| Posted by:john frum |
| #3 Many thanks to John Frum for wading through these mind numbing Pakistani whine fests so we don't have to. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-03-15 13:36 |
| #2 Go away or I will taunt you a second time. |
| Posted by: doc 2008-03-15 13:32 |
| #1 An Oxford educated Islamic Rage Boy. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2008-03-15 12:51 |