Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner Mirza Asif Ali Baig termed the news of India releasing water without warning as baseless. Going by the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty, India informs Pakistan on time before releasing excessive water.
The level of water is checked with India after every six hours which is now lowered down to every three hours. A flood cell has been constituted which stays in contact with the Indian side 24/7 and passes on the information to the irrigation department.
Even if India informs us on the release of water on time we cannot take effective measures in minimising the estimated loss on which India should not be blamed. Excessive water coming from the Indian side damages India before damaging Pakistan.
Damages are mainly caused as people settle on dimmed river channels and are washed away when the water is released. Government should take steps in educating the settlers.
The media is requested to project factual information and investigate thoroughly before going up with the news.
ENGR KHURSHID ANWER
Lahore