Bangla Press Desk: Pakistan has officially decided to brief the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the latest situation in the region after Indian media reports claimed New Delhi has restricted water flow on a key trans-boundary river.
Last month, a terrorist attack in India-occupied Kashmir left 26 people, mostly Indian tourists killed, giving the country’s Hindu nationalist government a chance to tarnish the image of Pakistan and isolate its Muslim-majority rival.
Without evidence, Indian intelligence, a section of the politicians and media outlets have repeatedly blamed Pakistan for the attack. India has not officially blamed Pakistan for the attack, but has taken a range of punitive measures including suspension of a six-decade old water-sharing treaty. Physical enactment of the suspension threatens massive economic damages and human casualties in Pakistan.
On Sunday, Indian media confirmed the concerns saying authorities have stopped the flow of water through the Baglihar Dam on the trans-boundary Chenab river and is planning similar measures at the Kishanganga Dam on the Jhelum river.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, has governed the use of the Indus river and its tributaries between India and Pakistan since 1960.
The Baglihar Dam has been a long-standing point of contention between the two neighbours, with Pakistan having sought the World Bank arbitration in the past.
Since the Kashmir terror attack, Pakistan has been reinforcing its forces along the border as it expects an Indian ground incursion with India’s premier granting “operational freedom” to his military.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has directed Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar, to take immediate steps to convene a meeting of the Security Council.
“Pakistan will inform the UNSC about India’s aggressive actions, provocations, and provocative statements,” the statement said.
“Pakistan will specifically highlight India’s illegal actions to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty,” it said, adding that the country would clarify how New Delhi’s aggressive actions are jeopardising “peace and security” in the region.
[Bangla Press is a global platform for free thought. It provides impartial news, analysis, and commentary for independent-minded individuals. Our goal is to bring about positive change, which is more important today than ever before.]
BP/ZE
