Violation of Indus Waters Treaty

Despite the commitment Indian PM Manmohan Singh made with President Zardari on the sidelines of the UN, India continues stoppage of Chenab River water in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. President Zardari had to tell India to honour the international water-sharing agreements and warned that the violation of the treaty would damage Indo-Pak relations. Meanwhile, Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah said that Pakistan would be compelled to seek the intervention of neutral experts if blatant violations of Sindh-Tass Treaty continue by the Indians. According to the Indus Water Treaty, India could fill Baglihar Dam before August 31, but it is mandatory for India to ensure 55,000-cusec inflow of water at Marala Barrage. In 1978, India had filled Salal Dam by stopping Pakistan's water share and later released the same quantity of water as compensation from Sutlaj River.

There are no two opinions that Pakistan should have good relations with all its neighbours, but not sacrificing or foregoing its rights. Unfortunately, India has never reciprocated the flexibility and good gestures from Pakistan. Despite three wars with India, Zardari said, "India has never been a threat to Pakistan" which is travesty of the truth, as since Pakistan came into being India did not let any opportunity go to destabilise it one way or another. Interestingly, Zardari's statement came at the time when the farmers in Pakistan were enraged on the failure of their crops as a result of the stoppage of Chenab's water by India. Elsewhere, such violation could have been considered as an act of war.