Pak blames India for blocking River Chenab's flow

Islamabad, Oct 12 : Pakistan has blamed India for blocking River Chenab's flow in order to fill the Baglihar Dam on the occasion of its inauguration.

The News quoted sources as saying that India had blocked another 9,000 cusecs water, storing it in the Baglihar Dam. They said India had released just 10,739 cusecs at the Marala Head Works without giving any prior notice, which was in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960.

In their meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured President Asif Ali Zardari that New Delhi would not violate the treaty, but another violation has surfaced in less than a fortnight.

Since flows are reduced in the Chenab River, Pakistan received 19,351 cusecs on Thursday, which was reduced to just 10,739 cusecs on Saturday.

The Chenab water has been blocked despite the fact that the Indian authorities are going to allow an inspection of the Baglihar project and to also hold a meeting of the permanent Indus Waters Commission from October 18-24.

The three-member team of Pakistani officials will leave Pakistan on October 18 for an inspection and three more officials will join them in New Delhi for talks to take back the stored water in the Rabi season, said Pakistani Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah.

The commissioner said the Pakistani team would talk to the Indian authorities on the violation of the treaty in reference with the Baglihar project.

"Certainly, we have complaints for which we will do our best to get compensated," he said.

ANI