Indian dams building crushing blow to Pak

Pakistan Daily

India by building dams on rives Chanab and Jhelum wants to destabilize Pakistan's economy, said Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Point of Order in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

He said Pakistan's economy primarily depends on agriculture and urged the government to take up the water issue with India vigorously. The PPP-S leader said the Kashmir dispute had assumed more importance in the wake of Indian move to build dams on rivers originating from the disputed land. "We've to set our course of action, which we've not done so far."

Quoting a World Bank report, he said: "If this situation persists then in the next 10-15 years Pakistan would be turned water-stressed country. Sherpao said India was out to inflict damage on Pakistan through waters, which it couldn't do through arms.

Aftab Sherpao said India was building dams under a well-planned strategy to deal a crushing blow to Pakistan, though slowly but surely and gradually.

He called for passing a resolution in the National Assembly to let the rest of world know how water was crucial to Pakistan, and how India was using it illegally in a sheer violation of all accords as well as international laws.

Aftab Sherpao said not only on Pakistan's rivers, but India was assisting Afghanistan to build dams on rivers Kabul and Kunar that fed water to the northern side. He suggested that Pakistan should sign accord with Afghanistan on water.

About 1991 water accord between the provinces, Aftab Sherpao complained NWFP was not being able to use its own share of water owing to unavailability of proper infrastructure. He said fertile districts of Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki, Bannu and Karak had the potential to produce surplus wheat and other crops, but were rendered barren because of water scarcity.

Aftab Sherpao demanded that Chashma Lift Canal be made op.