Dissatisfied Pakistani team returns after water talks with India
By IANSThursday, June 3, 2010
LAHORE - Pakistan’s Indus Water Commission team has returned from New Delhi dissatisfied with the information provided by the Indian side about the construction of new power projects on three rivers in Jammu and Kashmir that flow into this country.
Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner Syed Jamaat Ali Shah told reporters in Lahore Wednesday that his Indian counterpart did not provide details about the dams being built on the Chenab, Jhelum and Indus rivers without taking into consideration Islamabad’s objections to the projects.
He said if India did not comply with the regulations of the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan might move an international arbitration court, Dawn reported Wednesday.
During the previous round of talks in March here, Pakistan had expressed its reservations over the Nimoo Bazgo and Chutak power plants on the Indus river, saying it feared they might obstruct the flow of water to Pakistan.
India’s Indus Water Commissioner G. Ranganathan had handed over the construction plans and maps of the Nimoo Bazgo power plant to the Pakistani delegation and also briefed them on the technical aspects of the project.
The Indian team also agreed to consider the installation of a telemetric system at the projects to allay Pakistan’s fears about alleged theft of water, but said a final decision would be taken after consultation with experts.
