October 13, 2008	Monday	Shawwal 13, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Oct 12: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Sunday Pakistan would raise the issue of India’s move to block Chenab’s water, adding that it could harm confidence-building efforts between the two countries.

“Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had assured me in our meeting in New York that his country was seriously committed to our water-sharing treaty. We expect him to stand by his commitment,” President Zardari said in a statement.

He said Pakistan expected India to abide by international agreements. “Pakistan would be paying a very high price for India’s move to block Pakistan’s water supply from the Chenab river,” he said.

Pointing to the ramifications of the violation of the Indus Water Treaty, President Zardari said the Indian move would damage ties the two countries had built over the years. “India should not trade-off important regional objectives for short-term domestic goals,” he added.

“Pakistani officials would be taking up the matter with the Indian officials,” he said.

President Zardari said Pakistan and India should reap the benefits of shared border, rather than allow that to become a burden for the two nations. “Our two governments would be obliging to public sentiments if they move to strengthen the bilateral ties,” he said.

“However, our national interests are equally important and our government is committed to protecting them. We hope that the Indian prime minister would remember agreements on the judicious sharing of the Chenab waters and New Delhi would look to better relations with Pakistan,” he hoped.