Government sleets start of resolution process

LAHORE: Pakistan on Friday hailed the World Bank’s decision of initiating a dispute resolution process for the country’s objections over the designs of Indian Kishanganga and Rattle hydropower projects.

The officials said India is illegally building the two dams on the western rivers. The officials said the bank’s announcement ended an impasse on water dispute between India and Pakistan. It will bring the dispute resolution process back on track, which is Pakistan’s main demand. 

“We had raised objections over the dams and India used to oppose the start of any meaningful negotiation,” an official said. “Our objections regarding Indian water projects on the western rivers are mainly related to violations of storage and design criteria elements.” 

The officials said the designs of the projects allow excessive water storage and tend to increase leverage over downstream flows of water, which are a clear violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.

“In the subsequent negotiations, both the parties have also been involved in clearing their positions,” said Mirza Asif Baig, Pakistan’s commissioner for Indus Waters. “As this process moves forward, everything will be clear and reach a logical conclusion.”

Baig said Pakistan wants the institution of the court of arbitration.  “We also have been able to institute our proceedings well before Indian’s contention of resolving this issue through neutral expert,” he said. “I don’t think that setting up of court of arbitration and appointment of neutral expert will truly be a parallel process.” 

As per the treaty, he added that neutral expert finds the solution of technical issues pertaining to a water project, while court of arbitration decides about both technical and legal issues. A water expert said the first important development is acceptance of dispute by the bank. “I think it is a good development,” he said.