E-Paper
Pak to seek global advice on Chenab dispute
Pakistan has decided to seek the help of nuetral experts to help resolve the dispute arising out of India's plan to construct a hydropower project on Chenab river.
Pakistan has decided to seek the help of nuetral experts to help resolve the dispute arising out of India's plan to construct a hydropower project on Chenab river, which Islamabad claims will block the flow of water to the country.
Pakistan's Minister for Water and Power Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao told reporters that his ministry has received orders from Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to formally inform India about Pakistan's decision to seek the help of neutral experts for arbitration.
He said Pakistan would formally inform India within days about its decision to seek neutral experts help to resolve the dispute arising out of the construction of 450 megawatt Hydropower project.
Pakistan claims that the Hydro project was a "violation" of 1960 Indus Water Treaty as it has the potential to divert the follow of the water from Chinab. Pakistan argues that under the treaty it has been given the exclusive riparian rights to use the waters of Chinab and Ravi, which flows from Jammu and Kashmir.
The building of "huge gate structures" by India at Baglihar could block the flow of water to Pakistan, its officials argued.
Jamli reportedly took about 70 days to take the decision to refer the issue for arbitration.
In a series of meetings during the past two years, India has clarified to Pakistan that the project was not in violation of the treaty.
Top officials of both the countries held technical discussions under the Commissionarate of Indus Water Treaty but the talks failed to make headway as Pakistan refused to accept Indian explanations and wanted on the spot inspection for its engineers.
