WHOSE RIVER?

Tired of the sluggish progress on the issue, Pakistan has decided to claim compensation from India for the agricultural losses incurred by the stoppage of water flow into the Chenab River. Pakistan's Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah argues that in order to fill up the Baglihar dam lake in Jammu Kashmir, India reduced the water flow of the Chenab from August 1 to September 12 thereby threatening the per acre production of rice and cotton in Pakistan. As a result, Pakistan is seeking compensation for the estimated 40 % reduction in water flow from the Chenab.
If Commissioner-level talks do not reap desired recompense, Pakistan will seek World Bank arbitration over India's alleged violation of the Indus Water Treaty. Both countries being equally desirous of the rich flow of water from the Himalayan Mountains of Indian held Kashmir signed the Treaty in 1960 with the facilitation of the World Bank. In accordance with the agreement, a commission was set up to mediate any further disputes arising from the allocation of water. The Baglihar dam has been a serious point of dispute since its conception in 1992
Meanwhile, India maintains that the dearth is attributable to a meager year for water. "There was reduction because the flow was very little this year. We have also explained to the Pakistan High Commission on the situation," Foreign Secretary Shivshanker Menon explained.