LAHORE: Pakistan has sought inspection of the Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai hydroelectric projects India is building in the Chenab river basin in held Kashmir.

The demand was made during the second and last day of parleys held between the two countries under the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, in New Delhi.

“We’ve demanded inspection of various hydroelectric projects, particularly of 1000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai sites, on the Chenab river,” a member of the six-man Pakistan delegation taking part in the 114th annual meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission in the Indian capital told Dawn through WhatsApp messages.

He said the hosts agreed to the demand but sought time for making arrangements for the purpose in line with the World Bank-brokered pact for sharing waters of six rivers between the two countries.

These rivers include the Indus Jhelum and Chenab — whose waters are reserved for Pakistan — and the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — the rivers reserved for India.

The Pakistani side was led by acting Indus Waters Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah while P.K. Saxena headed the Indian team of experts.

Pakistani officials had earlier visited the Pakal Dul and Kalnai sites in 2014 in one of the 118 visits made by the two sides since the treaty was signed to help remove suspicions and objections on various hydroelectric projects undertaken in the Indus basin.

Pakistan has serious concerns over the designs of Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai projects, fearing the reservoirs may be used to create artificial water shortage or flooding downstream and terms the designs a violation of the treaty.

The two-day deliberations took place against the backdrop of continuing tensions between the two neighbours.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.