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