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Kathmandu Monday March 04, 2002 Falgun 20, 2058.
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‘Let’s work together
to preserve the Himalayan watersheds’
TKP: Could you shed some light on
Pakistan’s current power and water resources development scenario?
Mulk: Well, talking about
hydropower, we currently have an installed capacity of about 5,000 megawatts. And we are
working on some more big hydro projects such as the 1400 MW Ghazi Barotha on the Indus
River and the 80 MW Malakand III, which are available to be done. We are also in the phase
of carrying out pre-feasibility and feasibility studies on a number of other projects.
TKP: How do you perceive SAARC (South
Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries and the issue of water?
Mulk: Actually we share the
same Himalyan water resources. At least the SAARC countries starting from Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan, they share the same water and that is from the
Himalayas—the major source of freshwater. Therefore, I personally believe that
cooperation should take place, if the countries of the region are to prosper. More so,
between Nepal and the other regional countries, because Nepal has so much of hydro
resources it cannot consume alone.
But the neighbours need a lot more energy.
And this could provide a very cheap and environment friendly source of energy. So I think
there is not only a possibility, but I would personally feel that there is a great need
for this cooperation to take place.
TKP: And do you see any possibilities
for cooperation in water between India and Pakistan, the arch-rivals?
There are many, actually. But the thing is
India requires a lot of power and so does Pakistan. Telling you the truth, both countries
area short of power. We already have an agreement, which is called the Indus Water Treaty.
And we have no agreement so far of exchanging power between the two countries. But a
situation could arise when you really finance or it would become possible to finance on
projects.
It could become possible if you finance. If
someone says let’s invest in Nepal, or let’s invest in the upper catchment of
Pakistan on the Indus river. Then we have to find the market. I am sure there is a
tremendous market for power in the region. Because we are among those countries which have
the lowest per capital consumption of power.
TKP: What do you think Nepal needs to
do?
I am not able to say just for Nepal. I am
sure that they recognize the need of cooperation and I think that cooperation must come.
Nepal must be enabled to make use of its abundant water resources for the benefit and good
of its people. Not only this, I believe that being in the upper catchment of the Himalayan
watershed, it is its responsibility to keep the watershed in good shape. It will depend a
great deal on how much resources it has to keep its catchment in a good shape. If it can
make money out of this, if it becomes an economic resource for Nepal, then Nepal will
start investing resource in keeping its catchment in good shape. This resource must be
perpetual and sustainable.
TKP: What do you think is lacking to
foster regional cooperation in South Asia?
Mulk: This issue was also
raised by some of our friends from Bangladesh and Nepal during the meet. I personally
believe that the resources of economic compulsion have not yet been recognised by us. We
have to look at this. We have within the region an alternative. And each alternative has
to be pursued. And I am very confident that slowly and steadily this recognition is coming
up. We have got to be more sensitive to our needs. But I am very confident that it will
not take too long. Human mind eventually will succumb to logic.
TKP: And about this conference?
The most important thing is that we sat together
with friends from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, we discussed issues, and we
exchanged experiences and comments. Sitting back home isolated in your countries without
communicating with your neighbours does not help much. The region can’t benefit that
way. And I hope such conferences necessary. Such gatherings and constructive interactions
open our eyes, and help us understand the regional problems. They have organised it
extremely well. And next is our turn.
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