LOC14:52
11:52 GMT
ISLAMABAD, Oct 6 (KUNA) -- Pakistan Monday warned India to end violaation
of water treaty and release its share of water from their reservoir or it will
take the issue to the International Court of Arbitration.
If India continues violations of Indus Water Treaty then options were open
for Pakistan to take the issue into the court of arbitration or to neutral
experts, said Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah while talking to
media.
India should concede violations of Indus Water Treaty. If they does not
accept the violations in treaty then it would be a big set back to treaty
transpiring that India is not serious in implementing the Indus Water Treaty,
Water shortage has become more sever in Pakistan since India closed water
flow of one of the main rivers, Chenab.
According to the Federal Water and Power Ministry authorities, the water
blockade by India could adversely affect the crops, particularly cotton and
sugarcane which were in maturity stage and required final watering.
If the Chenab closure prolongs, the sowing of crops next month,
particularly wheat, would be hit severely. The government had to import more
than two million tons of wheat this year despite a record production of more
than 23 million tons. The water shortage could further force Pakistan to
import more wheat next year, adding to the foreign exchange pressure and
worsening its balance of payments crisis.
India and Pakistan signed the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in 1960, under which
Pakistan allocated three eastern rivers (Ravi, Sutlej and Beas) to India and
India three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) to Pakistan.
Despite wars and several disputes related to Dam constructions on Jehlum
(two dams) and Chenab (nine dams) rivers, the IWT has remarkably survived.
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KUNA 061452 Oct 08NNNN