WASHINGTON, Feb 16: The World Bank has asked India to respond to Pakistan's objections to the construction of a dam over the Chenab River in occupied Kashmir, US sources told Dawn on Wednesday.

According to these sources, the bank had asked New Delhi to send its response by February 22.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Jehangir Karamat, while talking to a group of Pakistani journalists on Tuesday afternoon, confirmed that the World Bank was urging India to respond to Pakistan's objections to the Baglihar dam but said he could not say whether the bank had set a deadline for India's response.

The ambassador dismissed the speculation that the Baglihar dam dispute could undermine India-Pakistan peace process. "Both countries are trying to keep it separate from the other dialogue so that it does not affect the peace process," he said.

Mr Karamat said the World Bank had asked Pakistan to provide documentary evidence to prove that it had exhausted all possible means for resolving this issue bilaterally before approaching the bank.