President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday asked India to stop blocking Pakistan's water because this could damage the relations between the two countries. President Zardari talking to Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Satyabrata Pal, who called on him at Presidential House, said that India should abide by the terms of Sindh Taas Treaty.
The violation of the treaty by India could dent the confidence building measures between the two countries, he added. President Zardari was of the view that blocking of Chenab River's water damages the fertile land in its catchments area as most of the time India releases Chenab water which destroys standing crops. Pakistan wants talks with India on all the issues that are required to be resolved, he said. Bilateral relations, regional situation and other matters of importance came under discussion during the meeting.
It may be recalled that President Zardari had also taken up the water issue with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a brief meeting with him at the sideline of UN General Assembly Annual Session in New York last month.
Despite Indian Prime Minister's assurance to President Zardari that New Delhi would not violate the treaty; the India side has again stopped the flow of the Chenab River water to Pakistan to fill the Baglihar Dam on the occasion of its inauguration. Experts say the situation is very critical for Pakistan with its food security totally dependent on availability of water resources divided between India and Pakistan with their share determined under Sindh Taas Treaty.
The violation of treaty by the India, according to economists could be disastrous for Pakistan in term of its agriculture output. It could hit hard Pakistan crops and subsequently the country would face acute shortage of staple food, eg wheat and rice, they added. The Indus Water Commission had apprised the federal government of this situation and demanded of them to take up the issue at the highest level to avert any disaster.
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