Pakistan Muslim League (N) has put the blame of construction of Baglihar dam on President General Pervez Musharraf, saying it would affect economy of the country adversely. Speaking at a news conference here on Sunday, PML-N Central Secretary Information Siddiq-ul-Farooq said, "President Musharraf's announcement to approach the World Bank for the settlement of the issue is merely a propaganda to mislead the people."
"It is now evident that the country is not safe in the hands of General Musharraf," he said, adding, "Musharraf-led government has again unconditionally agreed with India as it did in building the fence on the Line of Control."
Lauding the services of former premier Nawaz Sharif, Siddiq said that he (Nawaz) had taken a strong and decisive position on the issue of Wuller Barrage.
"India never dared to construct Baghliar dam during the PML-N government because an elected civilian ruler was in power but now President Musharraf has opened all secret gates for India after removing a democratic government of Mian Nawaz Sharif," he maintained.
Speaking about military rules in the past, he said that the military rulers have always played havoc with the country, as General Ayub Khan initiated anti-Pakistan agenda.
"The history of national catastrophes, right from the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 to the construction of Baglihar dam in 2005, provides irrefutable evidence of the incompetence, lack of vision and compromising national interests by military dictators as compared to the patriotism and vigilance of elected leaders," he pointed out.
Commenting on General Musharraf's visit to India in 2001, Siddiq claimed that President Musharraf had given green signal to India during his visit, encouraging them to start construction of the Baglihar dam.
The PML-N leader said that India has stepped up its construction work on the dam and now dam is ready to be commissioned this year instead of the originally fixed date of 2007.
Farooq feared that Pakistan can be deprived of 8,000 cusecs of water due to storage at Baglihar, and, since Pakistani farmers require more water in the sowing season, the scarcity can affect 25,000 acres of farmland.
"The country will lose about 15 million tons of food grains and 7.5 million tons of fodder every year due to lack of water-a loss of about Rs 8 billion, he said, adding, "we will need 150 million dollars every year to import food grains to meet domestic needs."
He said that the government has continued process of the so-called confidence-building with total disregard to national interests.
Expressing disappointment over the role of international organisations, Siddiq-ul-Farooq said that international organisations have not played their due role for the settlement of the Baglihar dam issue.
He demanded of all international organisations to use their influence and compel India to stop construction of Baglihar dam immediately.
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