The effective functioning of the Indus basin irrigation system is critical to the economic prosperity and political stability of Pakistan. The current Baglihar dam dispute with India, as the Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project dispute before it, might therefore be regarded by Pakistan as a 'core' issue. It would serve the long-term interests of both the states - as well as of the federating units within Pakistan - if the lower riparian were to robustly promote and defend its riparian claims and entitlements as an important issue of national interest.
