Jammu And Kasmir

[Naresh]

Another confirmation from a Pakistani that Jinnah's Sanction of the Illegal Invasion of the State of Jammu & Kashmir had nothing to do with Religious Content of the Population but for the River Waters required by Pakistani Punjab :

<b>Kalabagh dam</b>

<b>THE greatest danger to Punjab’s water resources is not posed by the non-construction of the Kalabagh dam, but by the possible political changes in Kashmir.</b>

As matters stand today, if New Delhi does decide to stop or reduce the flow of water from Indian-held Kashmir, we can take a variety of measures, such as going to an international court, involving the United Nations, or even taking direct military action. <b>However, if Kashmir were falsely made "independent" like Iraq, with foreign forces having their presence there, we would not be in a position to do much.</b>

The other danger posed to Punjab by the Kalabagh Dam hysteria is the rise of nationalists in Sindh and Balochistan. <b>These elements can render Punjab landlocked. In such a case the province will be more helpless than Afghanistan.</b>


The dam is going to take years to construct and maintaining political stability for such a long period would be difficult. <b>Finally, to use the Kalabagh dam to divert attention from the clash between secular and religious factions in the coming elections is a dangerous gamble for Pakistan.

We should draw lessons from our history. By imposing Urdu on Bengalis we lost an important part of Pakistan. By imposing Kalabagh on the three smaller provinces we may lose the rest. Sindhi, Phushtun and Balochi sentiments are surely more precious to the people of Punjab than one dam or any foreign dictate.

M.I. SHAIKH – Islamabad</b>

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