Traditional obstinacy

RECENTLY India has deprived Pakistan of its share of water in the River Chenab, causing a lot of suffering to the farmers, and is likely to do more in the current sowing season. The water shortage has been caused by the construction of the Baglihar dam in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. Given that the country is already trying to cope with an acute wheat shortage, the present canal waters dispute might spell a disaster for its agricultural sector and create problems in areas of energy generation. President Asif Zardari, who recently aired his views that India posed no threat to Pakistan, could not help but sound a warning that India's policy of cutting off water flowing down the territory under its control, could hurt bilateral ties.