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Pakistani experts to inspect two Indian hydropower project sites
LAHORE: India agreed on Thursday to get sites of its two hydropower projects — 1,000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnal — inspected by Pakistani experts by the end of next month. It also assured Pakistan of taking up its objections/concerns over the two projects seriously by resolving them amicably in the light of technical memorandums to be prepared and exchanged by the two countries in the next meeting to be held in New Delhi.
“The major breakthrough of the two-day talks held in Lahore is that India has agreed to get the projects’ sites visited by our experts. Therefore, our team comprising experts will visit the sites in India by the end of next month,” Water Resource Secretary Shamail Ahmad Khawaja told Dawn.
“During the visit, our experts will minutely examine the sites, construction in the light of the provisions of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) and the objections raised by Pakistan to the aforementioned projects being executed by India over the Chenab River,” he added.
Both delegations headed by Pakistani and Indian commissioners for Indus waters resumed talks on day two, reiterating their stance over construction of the projects. The Indian side led by Pradeep Kumar Saxena reviewed Pakistan’s objections minutely. It also presented its point of view amid justification in response to the objections.
Agreement reached in two-day water talks held in Lahore
The Pakistani side led by Commissioner for Indus Water Syed Mohammad Mehr Ali Shah continued defending its stance, requesting the Indian delegation to address the issues as sought. However, it was mutually decided that both countries would separately prepare technical memorandums based on their point of view and possible solutions.
“We think that we have succeeded in convincing India to address our issues since we don’t want to see any disruption in the flows of our rivers by anyone under the IWT.
“That is why they (Indians) have seriously reviewed our objections once again. And finally during the second round of the two-day talks, which concluded in Lahore on Thursday, it has been decided that both the countries would prepare technical memorandums separately on the issue and exchange the same with each other during the next meeting to be held within next three to four months,” Mr Khawaja, who is supposed to oversee the country’s water-related issues and projects, including the IWT, explained.
He claimed that the next round of the talks — which would be held in India between the two countries — would be the final and conclusive in connection with discussions over Pakistan’s concerns. “Resumption of talks between Pakistan and India — which have been suspended since 2014 — in March and August indicates some positive things. We hope that India would surely respect the IWT by considering our objections through an amicable solution in the next meeting,” he believed.
According to an official privy to the meeting, the two countries stick to their stances on the issue. Both the countries reiterated their stance in the meeting. However, the Indian delegation finally responded to Pakistan’s demand for looking into this issue in the next meeting, he told Dawn.
The official said the Joint Commissioner for Indus Waters also raised objections over heading the Pakistani side by Commissioner Mehr Ali Shah on the very first day before commencement of the talks. “Actually Joint Commissioner Sheraz Jameel Memon was of the view that he should lead the Pakistan side while conducting the meeting with the Indian delegation since Mr Shah was heading the department on additional charge for a period of three months. But when Mr Memon reached there to head the Pakistani team, he came to know that Mr Shah succeeded in getting extension in his additional charge of office. So he returned to office,” the official explained.
He said Pakistan’s demands included reduction of the height of Pakal Dul’s reservoir up to five metres, maintenance of 40-metre height above sea level while making spillways’ gates of the Pakal Dul project, besides clarifying the pattern and mechanism for the water storage and releases and some technical concerns over design of the Lower Kalnal hydropower project.
Earlier, both the Pakistani and Indian sides avoided the media gathered since morning outside the head office of Nespak in Lahore. Though the media tried to convince the staff for access to the talks, the officials didn’t agree. “We inform you all that we would neither brief you nor issue a joint statement regarding the talks,” an official told journalists. At this, the media persons protested over the officials’ attitude, asking the authorities to reveal the outcome of the talks to the nation.
On the other hand, former commissioner for Indus water Syed Jamat Ali Shah expressed reservations over the behavior of Pakistani and Indian sides. “They should have briefed the media since there is no secret. Our nation must know the facts,” he said.
Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2018
Comments (39) Closed
It means India will go ahead with the projects.
pakistan will raise objections, India will continue with work, couple of years down the line project would be inaugurated.
Nothing will go fruitful.
This is the best approach. Pakistan and India should respect bilateral treaties and resolve the issues within their framework.
A promising start. Hopefully we can hold negotiations on other more pressing issues as well.
This is how real and competent government works , way to go PTI
The positive is that Indian government is extending cooperation which is the step in the right direction. People on both sides of the border want normal, rather good and mutually beneficial relations with each other which both governments need to deliver upon
Without you taking any step Modi has initiated..
very nice.!!!!!!!
Yes, you can visit and learn from us. We have no issue with it. We have already considered all the details of the IWT and everything is as per treaty.
A great example that talks, not guns, can result in solving lot of issues. Such small steps can slowly build confidence on both sides that peace can be achieved by talks.
Let’s hope good sense prevail and we can have an amicable bilateral understanding.
A site seeing trip at the end of the day, nothing more.
This is called civilized way of dealing with each other, not threatening with guns.
This is good outcome.
Great! ... the way to progress is dialogue and a little bit of compromise here n there. Wish this would pave way for further dialogues in other issues as well.
Positive development
This is a good omen for Pak India relations
This the level of maturity to be shown. Threats and sabre rattling have not worked, not have protests by proxies. Sit across the table in utmost good faith. Bring the best level headed negotiators as key team members. Then we will see things moving.
Actually it's simple... Just sit with a team of balanced and level headed people than just bureaucrats and technocrats alone.
We may see amazing results this way. Good progress ..!
Excellent! Time to mend fences and move on towards lasting peace.
Forget about the helicopter gossips, focus on this positive above.
India can either go to nuclear war - or we can sit togather and work out our differences and give relief to the Kashmiris who are suffering for the past generations. A Indo-Pak alliance could define the 21st century.
Both countries should cooperate and forego petty things for each other. People on both sides of the border need poverty alleviation, education, health, and prosperity. Politicians and armies should come closer.
Hope the experts learn something about dam building and implement similar projects in Pakistan
Pakistan is important country to inspect in India.
Finally, the Indians are realising their obstructionist and denial attitude is getting them no where. Better they resolve all outstanding issues amicably and justly, not through belligerence or devious games, as none will work with Pakistan.
"Experts" really?
Pakistani experts are always welcome to visit the sites of dams construction.
It's an established practice .
India has nothing to hide and it has been a routine in the past too in case of other projects like Kishanganga .
So pay a visit , raise queries ,if any, and seek answres from Indian authorities .
Pakistan should strongly raise the issue in UN aswell
Yet another delaying tactic by the cunning, crooked, biased, bigot, eccentric, racist and criminal "Movers and Shakers" of New and Old Delhi to deceive the world.
This shows no one has an intention of violating the treaty. But India will take its just share of water.
Indians have noting to lose. If they want, they can keep stonewalling all attempts to progress, but they are not doing so. This shows everyone wants to progress in a friendly environment.
There goes 1 step by India, its your turn for promised 2 steps Mr IK.
Solve all matters sincerely and honestly and nobody can stop both to become very good neighbours and friends. But be honest and no dirty politics.
Now this is called IK effect.
Good. Hope this results in sweetness of relations and suspisions are removed
India has taken her step. Now lets see if Pakistan takes two steps forward or two steps backwards
@SUNK Buidling dams require money and a lot of it
After visit complete dam work will go on as usual.
@Shah are you threatening nuclear war?
Pakistan officials will inspect Indian dams and Indian officials will inspect Pakistan dams.... That is the full story....!