ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday formally asked India to release its 12-lack acre feet water in Chenab river immediately. The water was blocked by India due to filling of Baglihar Hydro Electric Plant.
Federal Power and Water Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf in his report before the Parliament said Pakistan had to face shortage of water in rivers during last three years due to construction of dams by India.
Besides economic loss, agriculture crops especially rice has hit badly due to blocking of water by India, report said. We are continuously mounting pressure on India to ensure implementation on Indus Water Treaty and release our blocked water, it added.
India had blocked out 12 lack acre feet water in August 2008 due to filling of Baglihar Hydro Electric Plant while now India has been asked to release out water, it said. Irrigation Department Punjab has tried its best to overcome water need by taking water from Mangla Dam and eastern rivers, it said.
On the other hand, Federal Power and Water Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that Central and South Asian Republics must promote regional cooperation in all the fields especially regional electricity market to help each other for better future.
He made these remarks while talking to the Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Nurlan Aitmurzaev who paid a farewell call to the Minister here on Wednesday and discussed various matters of mutual interest and to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries.
The Minister while welcoming the envoy said that the Kyrgyz expertise in hydroelectric power generation will benefit Pakistan adding we will welcome and facilitate the Kyrgyzstan to invest and participate in the Hydroelectric generation projects in Pakistan.
The Minister also appreciated the establishment of Kyrgyzstan-Pakistan business council and said that both the countries should exchange delegations to enhance bilateral trade between the two countries.
The Ambassador said that Kyrgyzstan has great electricity potential with surplus power and will provide every possible assistance and technical cooperation to Pakistan in this regard. He said that Kyrgyzstan is taking necessary steps for exporting 100 MW electricity to Pakistan under CASA 100 project. He also stressed the need for early start of direct flights of Kyrgyz air lines from Bishkek to Islamabad to facilitate the business community, tourists and the Pakistani students, getting education in medical and other disciplines in Bishkek and other cities.
Both, the Minister and the ambassador agreed to hold early meeting of Pakistan-Kyrgyz Joint Ministerial Commission to discuss various matters of mutual interests and to enhance the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. They also discussed to explore the investment opportunities in various sectors and access of the business community to CARs through Gwadar Port.
The Ambassador in his concluding remarks said that he enjoyed very much during his stay in Pakistan and is leaving to his country with sweet memories. The Minister thanked him and said that he has played a key role to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
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