IF we talk about the Indus Basin Treaty of 1960, India has been breaching this treaty for many years. India is building Sawalkot dam (1,200 MW), Pakal Dul dam (1,000 MW) and Baglihar dam on the Chenab.

In spite of this, many small dams are also being built.

According to the treaty, the level of water at Marala should be 55,000 cusecs but after the dam’s completion it will remain at 20,000 cusecs. Pakistan has the capacity to produce 50,000 MW electricity, but if India keeps on breaching the treaty, it will be cut to 11,000 MW.

It is a dilemma for us but nobody is ready to give any attention to this matter.

In the face of it, our government is going to import 1,000 MW electricity from India. Are we going to buy our own electricity? How illogical it is?

India has 206 billion ton reserves of coal and we have 175 billion tons. India is producing 66 per cent of their electricity from coal and we less than one per cent.

It is a matter of grave concern for us. Why can’t we produce electricity on our own? We are wasting 40 macf of water annually.

Why don’t we store this water? Why are we not ready to break the begging bowl? The answer is that we are prone to rely on others.

ASIF NAWAZ TULA Sahiwal