ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan’s Indus Waters Commission on Friday denied reports regarding India stopping the water of the Jhelum and Neelum Rivers after the Chenab.
Sources in the Indus Waters Commission clarified that no emergency warning has been issued so far, saying that some media outlets are creating unnecessary panic by airing reports based on ‘unattributed and unofficial sources’.
Several media outlets have claimed that the water inflow in the Jhelum and Neelum rivers has reduced to only 3,000 cusecs; four days ago, the water inflow was more than 5,000 cusecs. The reports alleged that the water flow in the Chenab and Jhelum rivers has reached the lowest level in history.
Denying the claims, Indus Water Commission sources said that the recent fluctuations in river water flows are common in this season, stating that short-term changes during this season are part of a historic and natural process.
Earlier, several reports, citing water experts, claimed that due to India’s water blocking, the canals flowing from the Chenab River to the Qadirabad Khan Barrage will not receive water.
“There is a risk that millions of acres of Punjab’s land will become barren due to India’s water blocking,” it added, suggesting that the Indus Water Commission to approach the International Court of Arbitration against India’s move.
It should be remembered that the United Nations’ special expert team has earlier declared India’s move to unilaterally terminate the Indus Waters Treaty as unconstitutional and a negation of the Security Council Charter.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also told foreign diplomats in a media briefing in Islamabad that India’s water measures pose serious threats to Pakistan’s food security. Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan has made it clear that blocking or diverting water will be considered an act of war, and we will not compromise on our water rights.
