Lahore (Staff Report): First round of two-day talks between Pakistan and India to discuss reported violation of Indus Water Treaty by India concluded on Wednesday.
The meeting, held at the headquarters of the National Engineering Services of Pakistan (Nespak), Pakistan reiterated its serious reservations over the construction of 1000-MW Pakal Dul and 48-MW Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects on two different tributaries of River Chenab by India which is a violation of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between the two countries.
A joint notification would be issued after completion of the talks, the sources said today. The next phase of the talks will be held on Thursday.
On Tuesday, a nine-member Indian delegation led by Indian Water Commissioner P. K Saxena arrived in Lahore for two-day talks.
Pakistan Water Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah, who welcomed the Indian delegation at the border, lead his side during the discussions.
Pakistan had voiced strong concerns against the Pakal Dul, Lower Kalnai, and Ratle hydroelectricity projects currently under construction in Indian Occupied Kashmir on tributaries of the Chenab River.
Pakistan contends that the design of the projects violates the provisions of Indus water Treaty.
Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty brokered by the World Bank in 1960, water from the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers had been allocated to India while water from the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers had been allocated to Pakistan.
According to the terms of the treaty, the water commissioners of both India and Pakistan are required to meet twice a year and also arrange technical visits to project sites.
The last meeting of the Pakistan-India Permanent Indus Commission was held in New Delhi in March during which both sides shared details concerning water flow and the quantity of water being used under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.
