War an option on Baglihar: Pak minister

He said India had already constructed a few dams in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. He said Islamabad had held negotiations with Delhi on all controversial dams but failed to get the desired results. He accused a former political government in Pakistan of remaining silent when India constructed the Salal dam. He said that government even did not bother to approach the World Bank.

He said India was also going ahead with Kishanganga hydro-electric project in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. The minister gave credit to the present government for taking up the Baglihar dam issue with the World Bank.

Opposition Leader Raza Rabbani blamed the government for surrendering rights of Pakistan to India. He said the World Bank had categorically said that it was not a guarantor and the process of appointment of a neutral expert and subsequent decisions would be a long process. He said the World Bank had not bothered to ask India to stop work on the dam. He accused the government of keeping mum over the sensitive issue.