Indus Water Treaty: We want our losses compensated, says CM's advisor

Srinagar, Nov 14: Commenting on the remarks made by chief minister J&K Omar Abdullah in a discussion over Indus Water Treaty (IWT), his advisor Nasir Aslam Wani Thursday said they don’t want to break the agreement, rather want J&K should be compensated for the losses it suffered in past years.

Wani without naming PDP, said those opposing the statement of chief minister Jammu & Kashmir over the treaty, has brought resolution in Assembly to break the agreement.

“What CM Omar Abdullah has said, and what you have perceived from his speech, is different. Since the times of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, we are saying that both India and Pakistan has conceived a treaty, but we always voiced that the people of Jammu & Kashmir has been affected with such agreements, and needs to be compensated,” Advisor to CM, Nasir Aslam Wani told reporters.

“We have never said to undo this agreement,” Wani clarified.

Hitting out at PDP, the CM’s advisor Nasir Aslam Wani said those opposing this pact today, should introspect over their own actions. “They brought resolution in J&K Assembly and sought break up of this agreement. Instead we are not saying to break it down. We are just seeking compensation of losses people of J&K have suffered in these years,” Wani said.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said, “J&K suffered losses because of the tension between India and Pakistan. The Indus Water Treaty is the only treaty which has remained in place despite the wars and tension.”

She advised chief minister J&K Omar Abdulla that reopening settled issues would create tension and benefit the BJP.

India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960 after nine years of negotiations, with the World Bank being a signatory to the pact that sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two sides on the use of waters of a number of cross-border rivers in J&K.