Secretary Gen of UN, others to name Kishenganga umpires

The Secretary General of the United Nations is among the international personalities who will now decide on the three neutral umpires to settle the dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kishenganga hydro power project in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Secretary General of the United Nations is among the international personalities who will now decide on the three neutral umpires to settle the dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kishenganga hydro power project in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Representatives of India and Pakistan, who met here today for a draw of lots, agreed to take the services of the UN chief, Rector, Imperial College of Science and Technology, London and Lord Justice of England to decide on the three umpires, including the chairman.

Sources in the government told PTI that the two countries will write separately to the three eminent men within the next 20 days seeking their asistance on deciding on the names of the umpires.

While the Secretary General of the UN will name the Chairman, the Rector of Imperial College will decide on the umpire (engineering).

The Lord Justice of England will name the umpire (legal).

As per the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, once the process of arbitration is initiated by any of the two countries, the three umpires, including the chairman, have to be appointed within 60 days.

India and Pakistan had failed to reach consensus earlier this month on the names of three neutral umpires for the International Court of Arbitration which will decide on resolution of dispute over Kishenganga.

The two countries have already nominated two legal experts (arbitrators) each to contest their case over the power project being built in Jammu and Kashmir.

Accusing India of breaching the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty by diverting the water of the Jhelum tributary for its Kishenganga hydel power project, Pakistan sought international arbitration in May this year after the two countries failed to resolve the issue bilaterally for over two decades.

Under the provisions of the treaty, the two countries will have to appoint three umpires, including a Chairman, before the court of arbitration is set up to decide on the issue.