Senior PPP leader and former federal minister for climate change Senator Sherry Rehman has denounced India for approving hydropower project on Chenab River, saying it is a sheer violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
In a post uploaded on X platform on Monday, Sherry Rehman said “In flagrant violation of the Indus Waters Treaty, India has just given approval to the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on Chenab River in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).”
“As per the IWT, which cannot be unilaterally revoked, as recent UN rapporteurs have confirmed, Pakistan has control over the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers fall under India’s control. Following the illegal suspension of the treaty,” she said added “India has decided to fast-track several disputed hydroelectric projects in the Indus Basin. These projects include Sawalkot, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai-1 and 2.”
Sherry Rehman said Dulhasti Stage-II is considered as part of this strategy. “Baglihar, in the picture below, is already contested by Pakistan as a violation of the IWT. This weaponization of water is neither sane nor acceptable in a region on the frontlines of climate change and environmental stress. It will inflame tensions in a bilateral relationship already bristling with hostility and distrust.”