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| What draws Pak to Baglihar | | | Within ten days of formal launch of one of the three phases of Baglihar hydro-electric power project, a team of Pakistan’s Indus Water Commission today reached the project site to examine water storage level. It goes beyond one’s understanding and comprehension as what draws Pakistan to fish in Chenab waters again and again. Sharing of water resources, including that of Chenab River, between India and Pakistan comes under the purview of Indus Water Treaty of 1960. Brokered by World Bank following a prolonged arbitration after partition of India, the Indus Water Treaty has so far withstood all tests of times and even two wars between India and Pakistan could not weaken the resolve this treaty. Peacemakers across the world have often called for taking cues from the spirit of Indus Water Treaty to make the agreements between two parties lasting and credible. The treaty distributes the rights over waters of six rivers between India and Pakistan - the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab to Pakistan and Ravi, Beas and Sutlej to India.
Pakistan has been raising objection on the construction of the Baglihar project since 2005 saying the height of the dam was more than the permissible limit under the treaty. The World Bank then appointed a Swiss civil engineer Prof. Raymond Lafitte to resolve the issue. He had suggested some changes in the design of the dam and given the go head, to which Pakistan agreed. Unfortunately, over the last few years when India built some projects or initiated others on Cheneab, strictly using its own, Pakistan has started making hues and cries at different platforms. The dispensations in Pakistan often go the extent of threatening peace process on the issue of Chenab waters which nearly amounts to blackmail. Particularly on Baglihar, which is the most prestigious project owned by Jammu and State, Pakistan took matter to the international arbitration. Indian stand and its spirit of respect to the treaty was vindicated when World Bank appointed neutral observer Raymond Liffete announced the award in January 2006 clearing India of all charges on Baglihar except a minor design change. Since then there has not been any huff about it. Even earlier this year, precisely in July, a team of Pakistan’s Indus Water Commission visited the Baglihar project site and cleared it of all charges, whatsoever. However, immediately after commissioning of the project, objections are again being raised. The leader of the team and Indus Water Commissioner, currently visiting Jammu, Syed Jamat Ali Shah told reporters that the water inflow at Mirala head in Pakistan has reduced and this is very bad for our irrigation needs as Pakistan is an agriculture dependent country. “We reserve the rights to discuss this issue with India on the basis of the Indus Water Treaty”, he said. India is recognized world over as a power which does not believe in coercion. Any legal and genuine grievances raised by any party to agreement are always addressed but Pakistan should also take care that objections should not be just for the sake of objections. |
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