- Asks govt to resolve issue of construction of dams by India on Pakistani waters
The National Assembly adopted a resolution Tuesday urging the government to take steps to resolve the issue of construction of dams by India on the waters of Pakistan.
Speaking on the resolution, Minister for States Abdul Qadir Baloch assured the House that water interests of the country will be safeguarded at all costs.
He said it was a matter of life and death for Pakistan as our agriculture development and electricity generation was dependent on the availability of adequate water.
The minister said Pakistan has exclusive rights on river Indus, Jhelum and Chenab which originate from Kashmir. India is constructing dams on these rivers which will affect the flow of water to Pakistan, he said, adding that the construction of Kishan Ganga Dam by India will affect the electricity production of Neelum-Jhelum hydel project by 10 percent. He said the government will continue its efforts to protect the water interest of the country. He, however, said that this issue should not be linked with the internal matter of construction of dams. He assured that no water related project will be undertaken without developing national consensus on it.
The members emphasised the need for construction of water reservoirs particularly small dams to meet the water requirements of the country. They said that there is also a need to evolve a mechanism for water management and conservation. They also proposed the constitution of a commission to protect the water interests of the country.
Those who spoke on the resolution included, Nafeesa Shah, Abdul Rahim Mandokhel and Shahabuddin Khan
The National Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution reiterating Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people.
The resolution, moved by Fazlur Rehman, said Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir dispute is based on principles which has also been acknowledged by the International community as well as United Nations in its resolutions. The Kashmiri brothers and sisters have sacrificed their lives for the right of self-determination. The final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir should be in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people through an independent and fair plebiscite.
The resolution impressed upon the Indian government to include the Kashmiri people in Pakistan-India dialogue process as they are the genuine party in the dispute. It noted that the resolution of Kashmir dispute is also imperative for promotion of bilateral relations between Pakistan and India and it could bring peace in the region.
The resolution strongly condemned human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and demanded of the Indian government to respect the human rights of Kashmiris. Rights of Kashmiris regarding self determination, speech and movement from one place to another should be respected. It also called upon India to withdraw its troops from the disputed territory besides conducting investigation into unaccounted for graves. India should release all the political detainees in Occupied Kashmir and abolish all the black laws.
The resolution also called upon India to initiate result-oriented, meaningful and time bound dialogue process with Pakistan.
Later, the members while expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people, called upon India to stop its persecution campaign in the held valley.
Speaking on the resolution, Kashmir Committee Chairman Fazlur Rehman said Pakistani nation and all its institutions always have supported the rights of self-determination of Kashmiri people. He said Pakistan observes solidarity day with the Kashmiris on the fifth of February and this year too, this day will be observed fully. He said a delegation of the Kashmir Committee will present a memorandum at UN office tomorrow while another delegation will go to Kohala Bridge to participate in the human chain formed to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.