Pakistan on Wednesday asked India to withdraw its troops from Siachen, claiming their presence on the glacier was damaging the environment and polluting one of the country’s main sources of water supplies. Sartaj Aziz, advisor to the Prime Minister on national security and foreign affairs, claimed Indian forces on Siachen posed a “serious threat” to Pakistan’s environment.
Pakistan is facing a water shortage and Indian troops are damaging the “virgin snow” of Siachen — one of the largest sources of Pakistani water, he said. He further claimed that items of daily use disposed of by Indian soldiers were threatening the glacier’s existence.
Describing the presence of Indian forces on the glacier as a “big issue”, he urged India to resolve the Siachen issue “on a priority basis by pulling out its troops”.
Aziz said Pakistan and India are engaged to resolve pending water issues through multiple channels, including the composite dialogue and Indus Waters Commission. He said the implications of water scarcity are grave in view of climate change.
