Indus Waters Treaty: Nawaz presses WB chief for arbitration court
Hopes lender will help resolve water dispute with India
PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Thursday reminded the World Bank again to effectively play its role of arbitrator in implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and to establish a court of arbitration for immediate settlement of a water dispute between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took the issue of a pause in process of appointment of the court of arbitration chairman by WB with the lender’s CEO, who is visiting Pakistan, on Wednesday.
Pakistan hopes WB aware of its role as guarantor of Indus Waters Treaty
The premier hoped “World Bank will play a lead role in resolution of disputes through establishment of a Court of Arbitration,” while talking to WB CEO Kristalina I Georgieva, suggesting that Pakistan is sticking to its original plan of seeking appointment of the court of arbitration chairman instead of adopting any other avenue, as suggested by the lender.
The WB CEO is visiting Pakistan at a time when the lender’s deadline to resolve the water dispute bilaterally is going to end.
Last month, WB had announced a pause in separate processes initiated by India and Pakistan under IWT, requesting both countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements.
At that time, WB said it has temporarily halted the appointment of a neutral expert, as requested by India, and the court of arbitration chairman as requested by Pakistan, to resolve issues regarding two hydroelectric power plants under construction by India along the Indus rivers system. Both processes initiated by the respective countries were advancing at the same time, creating a risk of contradictory outcomes that could potentially endanger the treaty, it added.
WB had hoped that the two countries would come to an agreement by the end of January.
A Prime Minister’s Office handout stated that the premier discussed the resolution of dispute arisen between India and Pakistan regarding construction of hydroelectric plants and water reservoirs on the western rivers by India in violation of IWT, of which WB is a signatory.
WB understood the significance of IWT and was cognisant of the bank’s role being co-signatory to the treaty, Georgieva said.
During the discourse, Power Minister Khawaja Asif conveyed that as per the government’s policy, Pakistan desires good relations with all its neighbours and wanted the resolution of IWT within its scope.
Pakistan again requested the bank to consider financing of the $14 billion Diamer-Bhasha dam, which WB is reluctant to finance due to objections raised by India. He conveyed the importance of the dam and requested the bank to provide assistance for its development as it will help reduce the country’s energy shortage and fulfill its agriculture needs, a finance ministry handout said.
World Bank declares pause to protect Indus Waters Treaty
It added that the WB CEO assured the Pakistani leaders of their positive consideration for Pakistan’s development needs and higher financial allocations.
Premier Nawaz emphasised that the government was focused on development of hydropower projects including mega dams all along the Indus cascade and small and medium dams in Balochistan to meet energy demands. In this regard Diamer-Basha dam is a project of national importance as it will considerably change the energy mix, produce affordable electricity and store water, he said.
Pakistan and China have recently decided to make Indus Basin development part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to thwart Indian designs of hurting Pakistan’s economy by blocking the flow of water.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar shared with the WB delegation details of the improved economic environment in the country and measures being taken by the government to consolidate the gains made in the last three years. He said that all macro-economic indicators project that Pakistan was on a rising growth trajectory.
Georgieva said that keeping in view the momentum in growth and economic progress in Pakistan, the World Bank would continue to assist Pakistan with consideration of a bigger financial package. She appreciated the Tarbela extension project and said WB will continue to look forward to working with Pakistan on similar projects.
She added that Pakistan has made great progress in energy, infrastructure and overall economic stability. ‘There is a sea of positive change in Pakistan as compared to 2011 when I last visited,” Georgieva said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2017.
Pakistan on Thursday reminded the World Bank again to effectively play its role of arbitrator in implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and to establish a court of arbitration for immediate settlement of a water dispute between Islamabad and New Delhi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took the issue of a pause in process of appointment of the court of arbitration chairman by WB with the lender’s CEO, who is visiting Pakistan, on Wednesday.
Pakistan hopes WB aware of its role as guarantor of Indus Waters Treaty
The premier hoped “World Bank will play a lead role in resolution of disputes through establishment of a Court of Arbitration,” while talking to WB CEO Kristalina I Georgieva, suggesting that Pakistan is sticking to its original plan of seeking appointment of the court of arbitration chairman instead of adopting any other avenue, as suggested by the lender.
The WB CEO is visiting Pakistan at a time when the lender’s deadline to resolve the water dispute bilaterally is going to end.
Last month, WB had announced a pause in separate processes initiated by India and Pakistan under IWT, requesting both countries to consider alternative ways to resolve their disagreements.
At that time, WB said it has temporarily halted the appointment of a neutral expert, as requested by India, and the court of arbitration chairman as requested by Pakistan, to resolve issues regarding two hydroelectric power plants under construction by India along the Indus rivers system. Both processes initiated by the respective countries were advancing at the same time, creating a risk of contradictory outcomes that could potentially endanger the treaty, it added.
WB had hoped that the two countries would come to an agreement by the end of January.
A Prime Minister’s Office handout stated that the premier discussed the resolution of dispute arisen between India and Pakistan regarding construction of hydroelectric plants and water reservoirs on the western rivers by India in violation of IWT, of which WB is a signatory.
WB understood the significance of IWT and was cognisant of the bank’s role being co-signatory to the treaty, Georgieva said.
During the discourse, Power Minister Khawaja Asif conveyed that as per the government’s policy, Pakistan desires good relations with all its neighbours and wanted the resolution of IWT within its scope.
Pakistan again requested the bank to consider financing of the $14 billion Diamer-Bhasha dam, which WB is reluctant to finance due to objections raised by India. He conveyed the importance of the dam and requested the bank to provide assistance for its development as it will help reduce the country’s energy shortage and fulfill its agriculture needs, a finance ministry handout said.
World Bank declares pause to protect Indus Waters Treaty
It added that the WB CEO assured the Pakistani leaders of their positive consideration for Pakistan’s development needs and higher financial allocations.
Premier Nawaz emphasised that the government was focused on development of hydropower projects including mega dams all along the Indus cascade and small and medium dams in Balochistan to meet energy demands. In this regard Diamer-Basha dam is a project of national importance as it will considerably change the energy mix, produce affordable electricity and store water, he said.
Pakistan and China have recently decided to make Indus Basin development part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to thwart Indian designs of hurting Pakistan’s economy by blocking the flow of water.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar shared with the WB delegation details of the improved economic environment in the country and measures being taken by the government to consolidate the gains made in the last three years. He said that all macro-economic indicators project that Pakistan was on a rising growth trajectory.
Georgieva said that keeping in view the momentum in growth and economic progress in Pakistan, the World Bank would continue to assist Pakistan with consideration of a bigger financial package. She appreciated the Tarbela extension project and said WB will continue to look forward to working with Pakistan on similar projects.
She added that Pakistan has made great progress in energy, infrastructure and overall economic stability. ‘There is a sea of positive change in Pakistan as compared to 2011 when I last visited,” Georgieva said.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2017.