ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has serious food and defence security concerns over the latest water war launched by New Delhi against Islamabad by manipulating our share of water violating the agreed Indus Water Treaty, it is learnt.

According to a source, the latest policy statement of President Asif Ali Zardari is reflective of both these concerns as India’s manipulation on Chenab water flow would not only badly hit the country’s agriculture sector but would also give leverage to India to dry out the strategic defence canals, distributaries and drains when it suits it. Though the Pakistan Army has some contingency plans to outsmart such a move from India, the defence authorities did alarm President Zardari about the defence security aspect of the Indian move.

In his candid statement, the president rightly asked India to abide by international agreements on water sharing of the Indus River system. The president said that Pakistan would be paying a very heavy price for India’s move to block its water supply from the River Chenab. He, however, did not elaborate the aspects of harm that India is causing to Pakistan.

The president resolved that Islamabad would pursue its case to compel India to respect the water treaty signed by the two sides.

Following the inauguration of controversial Baglihar Dam by the Indian prime minister on Friday, Pakistan immediately experienced on Saturday cut of 9,000-10,000 cusecs in the water flow in the Chenab. Pakistan had serious reservations to the design of the Baglihar Dam but India never stopped its construction and finally inaugurated it on Friday last.

Although this water controlling ability through Baglihar Dam by India would badly hit the agriculture of Pakistan and would dry up most of the barrages here, the defence security aspect of it is also very important.

Director General ISPR Maj General Athar Abbas when approached confirmed that the construction of Baglihar Dam is a defence security concern for Pakistan. Abbas explained that there are a number of canals, drains, and artificial distributaries, which during peacetime are used for irrigation purposes but they too are crucial for defence in the times of war.

He, however, said that despite India’s capability to manipulate the share and flow of Chenab water, in violation of water treaty, the Pakistan military has already worked out alternate options so that the strategic canals and distributaries get supply of waters from other sources. Water obstacles are considered effective in wars.

Meanwhile, a defence ministry source said there are several strategic water canals and Bambanwala Ravi Bedian (BRB) link canal at Sialkot-Lahore sector is famous for its effectiveness as a water obstacle for the enemy forces during 1965 war between India and Pakistan.

These sources said that for defence purposes the manipulation of the water by the other side only becomes relevant during times of military operations. During peace times, the manipulation of water would mainly and greatly hit the country’s agriculture.

President Zardari’s strong exception to the Indian move is generally appreciated. The president had invited criticism recently from within when he stated that Pakistan has no threat from India. The said statement was believed to be an initiative from Zardari to develop better relations with India. However, the other side instead of reciprocating with the same positivity stopped Chenab water flow to Pakistan.