ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: Indus Water commissioners of Pakistan and India will now meet in Lahore on Tuesday (Feb 4) to address Islamabad’s concerns regarding the controversial Baglihar hydro-electric plant being constructed by India on Chenab main.

The report about change in schedule is confirmed by a senior Pakistan government official as well as by the Acting Indian High Commissioner, Mr Sudhir Vyas.

Earlier, the talks were scheduled to start in Islamabad from Jan 30. However, they were postponed at the eleventh hour, as the Indian team could not reach Islamabad on time. The reason given by the Indian side was heavy flight bookings due to the Dubai festival.

The special meeting of the Permanent Commission on Indus Water was sought by Pakistan’s Commissioner Syed Jamait Ali Shah in November last year. Pakistan had conveyed to India that its failure to respond would force Islamabad to consider the third-party option.

Article 1X of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty provides the option of resolving any dispute or differences between the two parties through neutral observers or arbitration in the event of a deadlock.

Pakistan’s main concern regarding the design of the Baglihar project is the provision of gated spillways that could be used to Pakistan’s disadvantage.