Mushahid asks Govt to Internationalise Indian control of Pakistani rivers’ water

Mushahid asks Govt to Internationalise Indian control of Pakistani rivers’ water

ISLAMABAD, February 1: The Chairman of Pakistan-China Institute and Secretary General of PML Mushahid Hussain Sayed Monday asked the government to adopt a three-pronged strategy to internationalise the Indian control of Pakistani rivers’ waters through a proactive foreign policy to safeguard the national interests.

He was addressing the audience at South Asian Studies Center, Punjab University, with Vice Chancellor of PU Dr. Mujahid Kamran in the chair at Lahore. Title of the seminar was “Pak, India relations in the changing scenario”.

“Since the geo-political situation is moving towards Pakistan’s advantage, Pakistani policymakers need to have capabilities to derive advantages of this emerging scenario. Under the three-pronged strategy, the Foreign Office should be made a hub of the decision-making vis-à-vis foreign policy formation as the foreign office comprises of bright and nationalist professionals. Secondly, think tanks should be activated at Islamabad to participate in fighting the “battles of ideas”. Thirdly, the Indian control over Pakistani rivers’ water should be treated as most important and this should be raised at all international form on a war-footing through an energetic media and diplomatic campaign,” he asserted.

In this regard, Mushahid referred to three recent developments on the international arena, saying that Obama administration is relying on Pakistan to seek a face-saving exit from Afghanistan and the US strategy is now totally dependent on Pakistan for its success.

“Secondly in Afghanistan, Pakistan position has been vindicated since the US is seeking a dialogue with Taliban. Pakistan has been calling for talks with Taliban since long. Thirdly, the rise of China, Pakistan’s best friend, has made the US economy to strategically depend on China,” he asserted.

He said in this situation, the role of India has been reduced in the region as compared to China and Pakistan. Referring to ties with India, Mushahid Hussain said there was no longer any danger of aggression or war from India due to the nuclear capability of Pakistan. However, he added, the nature of Indian threat has changed and India is now trying to push for Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation through a propaganda campaign. Moreover, the Indians have launched covert operations in certain parts of Pakistan and most important of all is the India efforts to chock-off Pakistani waters through rivers where India is building dames and barrages.

He said the real problem was due to the Indian minor mindset in absence of a big heart despite the fact that India is a big country.

“Just take the example of the Indian reactions on Jaswant Singh’s book on Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah. Even after 60 years of partition, the Indian intellectuals and politicians are reluctant to tolerate truth about Quaid-e-Azam. Same was the case with Pakistani players’ in IPL bidding,” he added. He urged the India to have a big heart and reach out to its smaller neighbors.