03-15-2008, 04:08 AM
[center]<b><span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Unyielding stance</span></b>[/center]
YET again, the water dispute between the nuclear rivals, India and Pakistan, has bubbled up as preparations by the former to build a number of dams in the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir are well under way. Despite Pakistan's repeated requests, India has chosen to turn a blind eye to the gravity of the situation and instead has continued to maintain its uncompromising stance on the issue. It must be noted that almost all of the dams India is currently building are in violation of the Indus Water Treaty brokered by the good offices of the World Bank to settle the water dispute in 1960. Pakistan is currently facing severe water and power crises, and the construction of those dams would virtually turn Pakistan into a wasteland. The water level in our dams is already below the danger level and the wheat crop is facing problems, mainly due to the shortage of water. There are also reports indicating that this time around, the production of wheat will be much below the target. The construction of these dams flies in the face of the CBM mantra voiced by India besides proving its mindset of pulling the rug from under its neighbour's feet. It is hoped that Islamabad will take up the issue more firmly and press New Delhi to stop construction of those dams.
Cheers <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->