'India stonewalling water talks'
A National Assembly panel was told on Wednesday that while the Pakistan Commission on Indus Waters (PCIW) is tasked with engaging New Delhi on transboundary water issues, the dialogue table has remained empty for the past two years due to India's reluctance to come to the negotiating table.
The NA Standing Committee on Water Resources, chaired by Ahmad Ateeq Anwar, convened for an in-depth briefing on the country's key hydropower projects and the growing strain caused by India's repeated disregard for treaty obligations.
Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Muneer Wattoo, Water Resources Secretary Syed Ali Murtaza, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani, former WAPDA chairman Shakil Durrani and Pakistan's Indus Water Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah were in attendance.
The agenda included updates on the under-construction Dasu and Mohmand Dam projects, along with the status of the NeelumJhelum Hydropower Project.
Addressing the panel, the water resources secretary noted that while the PCIW holds the brief for initiating talks with India over shared water resources, there has been radio silence from across the border.
"The Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended," the secretary affirmed, adding that "we will take India's violations to international arbitration and other global forums".
He asserted that under the treaty, Pakistan holds full rights over the three western rivers, while India may only use a limited quantity for domestic and agricultural purposes and generate hydropower without altering the river flow.
"India cannot divert the flow of rivers," he added.
Committee chairman Ahmad Atiq Anwar directed that the committee be briefed on six canal projects, responding to a request by Dawar Kundi.
Minister Wattoo added, "Whenever the committee wishes, we will arrange a visit to the Dasu Dam site and facilitate meetings with affected communities."
Wattoo called for discussions on India's water aggression and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, noting that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) had already resolved some of the issues.
In his briefing, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Sajjad Ghani disclosed that Pakistan receives 140 million acre-feet (MAF) of water annually, However, it can only store 13 MAF due to siltation. "The country has the capacity to store up to 20 MAF, but due to silt, current usable storage is limited to 13 MAF," he noted.
He further explained that silt cannot simply be released, as it would damage the barrages. "Damage to the barrages could severely impact the agriculture sector," he warned.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
2 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PM calls for expedited work on Diamer Bhasha dam
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a high-level meeting on water resources and the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam in Islamabad on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. — Photo courtesy: Radio Pakistan Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday underscored the importance of affordable electricity and agricultural growth for the country's self-reliance, directing the authorities concerned to expedite work on the Diamer Bhasha Dam by removing all bottlenecks. Chairing a high-level meeting on water resources and the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, the prime minister said the development of large-scale water infrastructure was essential to enhance storage capacity, ensure irrigation supply, and mitigate the impact of floods. He emphasised that national self-sufficiency was closely tied to an effective system of water management and energy production, which required timely completion of projects like the Diamer Bhasha Dam. The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Engineer Amir Muqam, Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Moeen Wattoo; Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah; Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan Gulbar Khan; and other senior officials. Also Read: 'Modi is licking his wounds,' says PM Shehbaz Earlier, while addressing a peace jirga in Peshawar, the pime minister reiterated Pakistan's right to every drop of water in line with the Indus Water Treaty, and announced plans to store water in key projects such as the Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dams. He said a decision on the water issue would be made by inviting all four provinces for discussions on how to increase water reserves so that India's malicious designs are buried. Tensions between India and Pakistan over the Indus Waters Treaty escalated following the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which India blamed on Pakistan without presenting evidence — a claim Islamabad categorically rejected, calling instead for an independent investigation. India, however, opted to heighten tensions by unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing. In response, Pakistan hinted at suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement.
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
SAPM Fatemi delivers PM's letter to President Putin in meeting with Russian FM Lavrov
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs and Minister of State, Syed Tariq Fatemi, met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday as he began his official visit to the Russian Federation, the Foreign Office said. During the meeting, the SAPM conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's warm greetings and reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation with Russia in key areas, including energy, trade, and regional connectivity. Fatemi also briefed the Russian foreign minister on recent developments in South Asia, expressing Pakistan's concerns over regional instability. High-level delegations to visit world capitals from Jun 2 to project Pakistan's stance on Indian aggression He specifically highlighted India's threat to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a move with serious implications for regional peace and water security. Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed satisfaction over the steady growth in Pakistan-Russia ties and welcomed ongoing joint initiatives, including the development of new steel mills and connectivity infrastructure. He reaffirmed Russia's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Pakistan under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), especially in counter-terrorism efforts. Commenting on Pakistan-India relations, Lavrov underscored Russia's consistent support for the normalisation of ties between the two South Asian neighbours, noting that improved relations would contribute to regional stability. The meeting concluded with SAPM Fatemi delivering a letter from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Will collaborate with provinces, boost water storage to counter India's threats: PM
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to securing its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty. Speaking at a tribal jirga in Peshawar, Shehbaz vowed to combat India's water-related threats by increasing the country's water storage capacity, with a focus on collaboration across Pakistan's provinces. Sharif reiterated Pakistan's right to every drop of water in line with the Indus Water Treaty, and announced plans to store water in key projects such as the Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dams. He also called for consultations among the provinces to devise a comprehensive strategy to mitigate India's threats to Pakistan's water security. Tensions between India and Pakistan rose in the aftermath of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 people dead. India blamed Pakistan for the assault without providing evidence. Islamabad condemned the attack, denied New Delhi's claims and callied for an independent probe. India escalated tension by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Wagah-Attari border. In retaliation, Pakistan hinted at suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement. The confrontation them escalated on May 6–7 as India launched its attack against Pakistan, that spiralled into the gravest military clash between the neighbors in decades. Dozens were killed before diplomacy prevailed and a US-brokered ceasefire was announced. The prime minister hailed Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as a vital province that has historically supported Pakistan and promised to address the concerns of its tribal leaders. He assured that any issues faced by the province would be discussed and resolved in collaboration with the provincial government, local leaders, and military officials. Sharif praised the sacrifices of the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in the 1947 referendum, and highlighted the province's continued support in times of national crisis, including the wars with India. He also referred to the collective prayers of the people during the 1965 and 1971 conflicts, which he said had played a key role in Pakistan's victory. The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to strengthen its defence and economic position, noting that the country's response to India's provocations, especially regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, would now be more strategic and collaborative. In light of escalating tensions, Sharif called for urgent measures to enhance the country's water infrastructure and ensure that the rights of Pakistan's provinces are safeguarded.
