India disregarding Indus Water Treaty: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif lamented on Tuesday that India was not cooperating with Pakistan in line with the Indus Water Treaty, ARY News reported.

Addressing a seminar organized to discuss issues concerning the treaty, the foreign minister urged the World Bank, which had brokered the water-distribution between the two immediate neighbors back in 1960, to ensure the implementation on it by India.

He said water resources have assumed paramount significance in the wake of climate change in recent years.

It is in the interest of both the countries to honour the treaty, he said adding that Pakistan stood by the treaty but the neighbouring country not only disregarded Pakistan’s claim on water in line with the treaty but also had backed down from its fundamental points.

He expressed serious concern over the designs of hydro power projects being built by India on Jhelum and Chenab rivers.

Earlier in March this year, a 10-member Indian delegation led by Indus Water Commissioner of India P.P Saxena had held talks with the Pakistani delegation led by Indus Water Commissioner Mirza Asif Beg in Islamabad to discuss the projects being constructed by India on River Chenab.

Talks were held after a gap of two years owing to tense bilateral ties between the two countries.