This is with reference to the rejoinder of First Secretary (Information) High Commission of India Janardan Singh letter on “Indus water treaty violations ” (25 Aug) and other letters appearing on the subject.
There was nothing wrong with the statement of water and power minister when he said there is no illegal construction by India on the western rivers. What he meant was that India is permitted by IWT to have run of the river projects to produce power. To our bad luck The Kishanganga Hydroelectric project on the River Neelum is located near the line of control in Indian Occupied Kashmir. This project envisages diversion of River Neelum. The water of River Neelum is reserved for Pakistan’s Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project, work on which started in 1989.
This diversion is going to decrease the water flow at Neelum-Jhelum project and would result in decrease in generation capacity of Neelum Jhelum project by approximately 20%. It will affect agriculture in Neelum Valley and Muzaffarbad District of Pakistan. The water of River Neelum diverted towards Wuller lake would be consumed within Wuller lake and will not go to River Jhelum as India is also planning to construct Wuller Lake. The commission has failed to resolve the issue which is why Pakistan is seeking remedy as per the resolution envisaged in the Treaty.
According to Indus Water Treaty of 1960, India got the complete rights on the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Sutlej and Beas) whereas Pakistan was given the rights of Western Rivers(Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) with some specific provisions for use of water by India from these rivers. In violation of Indus Water Treaty, the Wuller Barrage project is located on Jhelum and involves artificial raising of water in complete contravention of the IWT.
Besides the above mentioned disputes, a number of hydroelectric projects of various capacities are being planned by India on the rivers reserved for Pakistan which will further choke the water flow. Thus, Pakistan’s hydropower generation is under further threat. The issue is very sensitive and its negative impact on Pakistan will be considerable. Both governments need to resolve the issue on an urgent basis. Our rulers must wake from deep slumber and take the water issue seriously as there can be no peace and prosperity without solving these issues.
LT COL (Retd) MUKHTAR AHMED BUTT
Karachi
