Sat Sari Akal from Pakistan!
As a native of Pakistan – I am excited to have a sagacious leader at the helm of affairs next door. Especially as our countries have a history of bitter relations having fought three wars since our independence from Britain in 1947. We both claim the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is divided between us.
Mr. Prime Minister, I feel it’s about time that we both re-visit the concept of ‘sous rature’, (a term usually translated as ‘under erasure)’ in our bilateral discussions. I am proposing a sous rature for Kashmir – because the conflict is inadequately represented thus far as a territorial issue. Since this is an important issue, I propose we keep it legible yet cross it out. And, going forward use a more accurate term; water conflict.
Water is linked to the crises of climate change, energy and food supplies, and in our case, a territorial dispute. Unless Kashmir’s link with water is addressed and resolved, these other crises may intensify leading to further political insecurity and conflict at various levels.
It is abundantly clear to most educated Pakistanis that the Kashmir dispute cannot be resolved until every Pakistani citizen is assured access to water – today, tomorrow and for times to come. I am hoping that in your second term you will demonstrate the courage expected of a ‘fair’ regional power and not insist on building dams that will deprive Pakistani farmers of vital water supplies.
Mr. Prime Minister, I am hoping that you will address the critical issue of the Tulbul Navigation project on Wular Lake in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir. I am sure you are aware of our position that this dam will disrupt the flow of water into the Jhelum River, which flows into Pakistan. This dam clearly violates the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. You must know that the World Bank-mediated 1960 Indus Water Treaty stipulates that we share the Indus River and its five tributaries – the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Under the treaty, we received exclusive use of waters from the Indus and its westward flowing tributaries, the Jhelum and Chenab, while the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers were allocated for your country’s use.
Mr. Prime Minister in your haste to win this second term you have withheld millions of cubic feet of water upstream on the Chenab in Indian-administered Kashmir, and you are storing it in the massive Baglihar dam in order to produce hydro-electricity. Mr. Prime Minister you know it is in breach of the 1960 treaty. I know you decided to stop entertaining this discussion after the Mumbai attacks- but why are you punishing the poor farmers of Pakistan for the crimes committed by a few mercenaries?
We have heard your position that India has a right to ‘’run-of-the-river’’ projects but ask 10 independent scientists and they will confirm that the Baglihar dam reduces the flow of water to Pakistan in violation of the 1960 treaty. Come down to Pakistan and bring those World Bank appointed experts who had cleared the Baglihar project so they can understand the implication of their decision as well. If these experts are not blind- I am sure they will notice that the levels of both the river and groundwater have fallen substantially. Indeed, from our side this doesn’t even look like a river anymore; it is more like a puddle.
Mr. Prime Minister I don’t want to bore you with details, but the 1960 treaty guaranteed us 55,000 cusecs of water. Yet, this year we have received between 13,000 cusecs during the winter and a maximum of 29,000 cusecs during summer.
We have also heard the Indian argument for the Wular dam; that you will make a shallow 12 mile stretch of the river in order to ease “navigation” during the dry summer months. And that this is allowed under the 1960 treaty.
Let’s be honest Mr. Prime Minister- this is an open attempt to store water and control how much will be allowed to flow to Pakistan. It may not happen overnight – but there are no guarantees that you will continue to win elections in India for next 30-40 years.
Mr. Prime Minister- you may ignore this appeal but at least pay attention to more than 20 different UN bodies who have warned that the world may be perilously close to its first water war. Take these dam projects off the table and you will win the hearts and minds of Pakistanis. Moreover, you will bring the two nations closer to a more peaceful and prosperous coexistence.
Ibrahim Sajid Malick is a Pakistani-American writer, technologist, and social entrepreneur. He has been writing on Pakistani society and politics since 1986. He has held several media, communications, and technology positions for organizations large and small. Mr. Malick graduated from New School for Social Research with a master’s degree in anthropology. He holds several technology and management certifications. He works for a leading technology firm and blogs at www.ibrahimsajidmalick.com
At this occassion i recall /wish that if Gandhi had been alive he wiuld have taken a well justified decession—–The new generation does not know that Gandhi gave life for Pakistan —In 1948 Indian Governement was not willing to pay Rs 55 or 90 crore to Pakistan which was its genuine share –Then due to huger strike of Gandhi money was given to Pakistan—The indian Hindu Mr Godse killed Gandhi because Godse said that Gandhi was a Pakistani agent Mr Nazeer Naji pof Pakistan has said in his article of JANG karachi 5th January 2010 that new generation of Pakistan dose not know that Gandhi gave life for Pakistan
Pakistanis have only recntly realised that India now has one more ace in its hand and the Pakistanis do not like it. Used to as they are to belligerence, they issue veiled threats of waging a water war with India. India has been very patient all these years while the ISI sponsored Jehadi elements in Pakistan have been playing havoc in Indian cities. Mumbai mayhem really is more that any country in the world would ignore.
Pakistanis have to punish the perpetrators of Mumbai to show its sincerity. Only then it can hope for any meaningful dialogue with India.
Otherwise India can be content with a NO-WAR NO-PEACE NO-DIALOGUE situation.
What is the use of talking to a country whose elected Presidents and Prime Ministers have to be dictated by the Army Chief on all their dealings with India?
Do you have any right to talk of humanity. You started terrorism to fullfill your political goals against India.God is great. One who dig whole for others he himself Ist fell in it. So is the case with Pakistan now.Water treaty does not stop India to build dam or any other structure.Treaty stop the diversion of water for Indian use.If so why not even a single country has supported your view. If water quantity is less due to short rainfall do you expect we should dig well and send water to your poor farmer. Good relation need both way commitment ,why you keep on demanding every time Be man ! learn to give also.
After having read the above posts one can clearly analyse where the problem lies. It is the biased views on both sides of the border and some abusive people who only understand more clearly in abusive language.It is not the people of these countries or the governments but the powerful intelligence agencies who are at war and are fanning hatered.
To resolve an issue we must rise above personal feelings and views.Take an impartial look at history,observe the actions of both the Nations objectively and then use our intellect to draw conmclusions. The Indians have concerns about terrorism but why do we forget most of the terrorist attacks occur in Pakistan.India had one Bombay incident, Pakistan has an incident every week. There is a logical reason to believe that whatever happens in Pakistan could be sponsored by India.Let us look at the following events:
1. Attacks on Army & ISI personnel and Offices in Lahore , Rawalpindi , Peshawar and Karachi.Why would ISI get itself attacked and killed if it were itself sponsoring these attacks? would it not be logical to assume it the work of its rival RAW?
2.The attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team., when SriLanka has been a trusted friend of Pakistan much to the Agony of India and when India favoured the Tamil Tigers, against Sri Lanka.Was it not the work of Indian RAW?
3.The Bomb attack on the Pakistani High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, who was propounded by the indians to be a taliban supporter whereas the present Indian Foreign Secretary Mrs Nuprima Roa who was then the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka was courting him and almost getting Married to him. A fact which can be got confirmed from the present President of Sri Lanka, who was a witness.
4.No one in Pakistan likes the taliban specially the Pakistani version of Taliban, nor would any Pakistani support any action by them,these taliban are fighting the Pakistan Army! would it be sensible to belive that Pakistan Army support its enemies OR is it logical to belive that the RAW sponsors them?
Who provoked a small country like Pakistan to go Nuclear? A reality which has to be accepted by even those blessed with little brains. Can Pakistan now be taken for granted?and if attacked would it not be suicidal for India?
It is our selfish leaders who landed us in problems on both sides of the border.Man Proposed and god disposes.Look at what nature did to the Ghandi, Mujeeb and Bhutto families. No surviving hair! Because this is what they did to humanity.
The army like any other Army in the world, is an instrument of Power, it cannot act alone in any country.What would you expect the Indian Army to do if it discovered its own Prime Minister and government having clandestine links with Pakistan. Armies constantly develop contigencies, present them to the government and comply to government decisions.I suggest a reading of the Samba Spy Scandal, which gives an insight of how an intelligence Agency reacts against its own army.
The war on terror has no doubt turned into a blessing in disguise and a moral justification to crush and kill the Kashmiris and other freedom movements in India.
We hear of India as the Largest democracy in the world, but can a democracy be crushing and killing its own people through its army? SO, is the Indian Army any different? Did the Pakistani Army desecrate the Golden Temple and kill hundreds of thousands of Sikhs? no sir! it was the Indian Army NOT acting alone!obviously complying to Government orders.
Dear brothers we both have dark sides to our history, now we are both armed with weapons of mass destruction we cannot play with them nor allow kids to handle them.
Its time to urge our governments to think and act responsibly.Let us work for the beterment of the people of our region and not to play in the hands of people with vested interests.
Some parts of Pakistan are so beautiful!