News
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Pak-US strategic dialoguePakistan to seek US help over water row with India
* Trade, energy, agriculture, human capital development major areas to be discussed
By Sajid Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will request the US to use its influence and play its role in the settlement of the water dispute between Pakistan and India, as diversion of water from Pakistan’s share is being seen as a major threat to the country’s security and economy, official sources at the Foreign Office said on Friday.
Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy on Pakistan and Afghanistan, has arrived in Islamabad and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to arrive on July 18 to participate in the dialogue.
Officials involved in the preparation of the agenda for the upcoming Pak-US strategic dialogue have reprioritised the issues to be discussed during the dialogue. The water dispute, market access for Pakistani goods, energy, agriculture and human capital development have been identified as five major areas where Pakistan would seek US help.
According to the sources, diversion of Pakistan’s water share in hydroelectric projects by India is causing huge losses and is delaying the sowing of major crops.
The sources added that Pakistan would demand the US authorities increase the $7.5 billion aid under the Kerry-Lugar Act to $50 billion if the US really wanted the country to succeed in the war against terrorism and improve the US’ image in Pakistan.
It would also ask the US to abolish import duty on Pakistani textile products, help Pakistan acquire nuclear technology and help it in hydel generation.
The Pakistani side would seek financial as well as technical help from the US to enable it to use its mineral resources for economic development. The country would seek US help in expanding skill development facilities, especially in war-affected areas.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk