Armed forces alarmed over construction of dams on River Indus: The News

By Khalid Mustafa

ISLAMABAD: Armed forces got alarmed over the construction of three dams by India on River Indus and asked the authorities concerned to look into it in detail and chalk out a modus operandi to reduce the impact of the said establishments on Pakistan’s interests. “Pakistan’s authorities concerned including the officials of General Headquarters (GHQ), (National Engineering Services of Pakistan) NESPak, Wapda, Irrigation Department of Punjab and Pakistan Commission of Indus Water would assemble in Lahore today (Saturday) to discuss the fallout impacts on Pakistan’s water and defence interests of the ongoing construction of three dams in Ladakh region on River Indus,” a senior official told The News.

“In addition, the participants would also figure in the Kishanganga hydropower project as Permanent Commission of Indus Waters has failed to resolve this issue. The participants are likely to recommend that this issue should be taken up at government level and if the dispute remains unresolved by both the governments, then neutral expert should be moved.”

The meeting, the official said, would also recommend to the government to take action against India for violating the treaty during the filling of Baglihar Dam, resultantly Pakistan experienced a massive dip in Chenab water that inflicted damage to the sowing process of wheat.

Earlier, it was proposed that the government would write a letter to the Indian government registering severe protest on the Chenab water ‘theft’, but the government of the day did not send a letter for unknown reason. The Punjab government then wrote a letter to the Centre in this regard, asking for required action for Chenab water dip. The federal government remained unmoved.

Syed Jamaat Ali Shah, Commissioner of Pakistan Commission of Indus Water, would chair this crucial meeting. The News in Feb 9 issue disclosed that India has initiated the construction of three dams on River Indus. “India is constructing large dams on River Indus, which include Nimoo Bazgo with a height of 57-metre, Dumkhar of 42 metres height and Chutak dam of 59 metres height to basically generate hydropower.

The three dams on River Indus in the Ladakh region will harness 219 megawatt (MW) of hydropower. “Yes, I have convened a meeting of all stakeholders to discuss the issues including the construction of dams on Indus,” Syed Jamaat Ali Shah, said when contacted by The News.

For more on this article, please click on the following link: Armed forces alarmed over construction of dams on River Indus: The News