June 01, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 26, 1429

LAHORE, May 31: Represen-tatives of India and Pakistan in the Permanent Indus Commis-sion of the two countries met here on Saturday and expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the two countries over the exchange of information about floods and other water-related issues.

The Pakistan delegation was led at the meeting by Syed Jamaat Ali Shah while the Indian side was headed by G. Aranga Nathan.

The representatives of the two countries also cut a cake to mark the 100 meeting of the PIC.

The commission was set up with the help of the World Bank after the 1960 Water Treaty, brokered by the bank.

An annual review meeting of the PIC is mandatory and on many occasions, the two sides have met more than once a year. The present meeting will continue till June 3.

Pakistan has raised concerns on the design of the Baglihar hydropower-cum-water storage project being built by India on the Chenab river, which flows from occupied Kashmir into Pakistan.

Pakistan sought modification on freeboard, level of power intakes, poundage and spillway.

After India’s refusal to modify the design, Pakistan sought mediation by the World Bank in 2006, which appointed Raymond Lafitte as an expert to review the project and examine Pakistan’s concerns.

In his Feb 12, 2007, report, Lafitte said the Indian calculation on freeboard was inaccurate and asked India to set crust level at the lowest. He also directed India to reduce freeboard by 33 per cent from the present 4.5 metres to 3 metres.—PPI