ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: Pakistan has formally served a second notice on the Indian government to settle by Dec 31 the dispute over the Baglihar dam that is being built on the Chenab river in occupied Kashmir, informed sources said.

The first notice was served on India in August before a team of technical experts led by Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Jamaat Ali Shah conducted an inspection of the project.

The second notice, considered by some as the final, was served by the foreign office through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad late last week, sources said. The development indicates that the issue, which was being dealt by the two commissioners, will now have to be resolved at the government-to-government level.

Sources told this reporter on Tuesday that Pakistan had asked India to suspend work on the project and resolve the issue amicably by Dec 31 in accordance with the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

They said Mr Shah on Dec 1 conveyed to his Indian counterpart Pakistan’s objections and reservations on the project. The experts’ tour confirmed Pakistan’s apprehensions that the project was being executed in breach of the bilateral IWT, officials maintained.

If India fails to respond to Pakistan’s plea by Dec 31, the likely next step for Islamabad will be to approach the World Bank for the appointment of neutral experts to resolve the dispute.

The World Bank brokered the water-sharing IWT and stands as its guarantor.