Karachi : The Indian government’s announcement to unilaterally terminate the Indus Waters Treaty is a grave violation of international law. India must understand that if this treaty is annulled, Pakistan will once again have a rightful claim over the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, as Pakistan is the lower riparian party to the agreement. This rightful claim will be recognized at international forums.
Members of Hamdard Shura Karachi expressed these views during the monthly meeting of the Hamdard Shura, held yesterday at the Hamdard Corporate Head Office. The meeting was presided over by Speaker General (R) Moinuddin Haider, in the presence of Ms. Sadia Rashid, President of Hamdard Foundation Pakistan. The theme of the meeting was “Pakistan’s Water Crisis: Technical or Political?”
General (R) Moinuddin Haider said: “For several decades, due to the absence of new dams, approximately 35 million cusecs of water have been flowing into the sea. There is a need to build public consensus for the construction of new dams.”
General (retd.) Moinuddin Haider addressing on “Pakistan’s Water Crisis: Technical or Political? in the meeting of Hamdard Shura Karachi organized by Hamdard Foundation Pakistan at Corporate Head Office Karachi. Ms. Sadia Rashid, President of Hamdard Foundation Pakistan, and Col. (retd) Mukhtar Butt are also present on this occasion
Dr. Rizwana Ansari said: “The issue of water scarcity in Pakistan is the result of government and bureaucratic incompetence and irresponsible behaviour. For decades, it has been said that future world wars would be fought over water, and that Pakistan would face a severe water crisis by 2025, yet these warnings were never taken seriously. Opposition to dam construction stems from ignorance and ethnic politics. A proper strategy must also be adopted to prevent water wastage. Modern methods must be used to store and utilize floodwater and rainwater. It should be made legally mandatory for new colonies and housing schemes to install rooftop rainwater harvesting systems.”
Professor Dr. Hakim Abdul Hannan said: “A strategy must be formulated to address the water issue. Globally, techniques like drip irrigation are being adopted for agriculture. Even in the United States, which has several large rivers, there is a strong emphasis on the careful use of water. International laws are often not effective against powerful states; therefore, Pakistan must urgently strengthen its economy on a war footing. Special attention must be given to every sector that has the potential to boost national exports. The most crucial element for self-reliance is modern scientific expertise.”
Colonel (R) Mukhtar Ahmed Butt “There is ample potential in the country to build large water reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. In the United Arab Emirates, desalination plants (facilities that convert seawater into freshwater) are used to supply water across the entire country. Pakistan should install desalination plants to meet the water needs of its coastal populations.”
Zafar Iqbal praised the professional skills of the Pakistani armed forces said: “The military prowess with which the Pakistani armed forces responded to Indian aggression is being acknowledged by neutral international observers and analysts. It is imperative to make it clear to the global community that Pakistan will not, under any circumstances, tolerate water aggression and will deliver a strong response to India’s water terrorism. India is struggling to cope with its humiliation. Pakistan must remain alert, as India may attempt another attack to salvage its pride. With the cooperation of China, Pakistan’s Navy must also be strengthened, just like its Air Force.”
Dr. Amjad Jafri noted that India lacks the technical capability to block the flow of the Jhelum River, but warned that India’s fascist government could go to any extreme to harm Pakistan. Therefore, its threats must be taken seriously.
Justice (R) Zia Parvez, Rizwan Ahmed, and other observers also shared their views on the topic.
