11 October 2004	Monday	25 Shaban 1425

ISLAMABAD, Oct 10: The government has been advised by water experts of the Pakistan Indus Commission to opt for the World Bank route to resolve the issue of Baglihar hydroelectric plant being constructed by India on the Chenab river in occupied Kashmir.

"Our water experts have recommended that Pakistan should resort to the World Bank mechanism to resolve issues related to the Baglihar project," a well-placed source in the government told Dawn on Saturday.

The experts in their recent recommendation have alerted the ministries concerned that there is no visible move by India to resolve the issue bilaterally and work on the project is proceeding at a fast pace, the source added.

Repeated calls by Pakistan to suspend work on the project till the resolution of pending issues have been ignored by India. During the June 24 meeting of the two water secretaries both sides had agreed on a timeframe to resolve the issue bilaterally by November.

In line with the understanding reached between the water secretaries India was supposed to provide data of the Baglihar dam project to the Pakistani side by the end of July. However, despite reminders India has not provided the data, sources close to the Ministry of Water and Power told Dawn.

This confirms our apprehension that India is merely indulging in delaying tactics and is not serious about addressing our legitimate concerns, a government official involved in the process said.

In view of this, the government has decided to convene an inter-agency meeting, it is learnt. The meeting, which is likely to take place later this month, will work out a future strategy on this key matter.

At the heart of the dispute is the design of the Baglihar dam project which, according to Pakistan, provides for submerged gated spillways and, therefore, establishes Indian control over Pakistani waters in breach of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.

Islamabad has already let India know that if its concerns are not addressed adequately, it would seek the intervention of the World Bank that had brokered the treaty and stands as its guarantor.

It is believed that if Pakistan is compelled to exercise the World Bank option it will not augur well for the ongoing peace process. The bilateral water-sharing treaty gives both countries the third-party option in case of a deadlock over any issue. Article IX of the treaty provides for settling disputes through neutral experts or arbitration if they cannot be resolved between the two countries.