Kishanganga, Ratle: Pakistan observers accompanying ‘neutral expert’ inspecting dams

Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during her weekly press, on Friday said a neutral expert and an ad hoc Court of Arbitration was hearing Pakistan’s objections to the construction of the Kishanganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in IIOJK.

“A team of our technical and legal experts is accompanying the “neutral expert” who is inspecting the projects as part of the ongoing proceedings,” she said.

Pakistan considers the construction of the Kishanganga dam in India-held Kashmir over the waters flowing into the western rivers a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960 since it will not only alter the course of the river but also deplete the water level of the rivers that flow into Pakistan.

The 1960 treaty recognises the World Bank as an arbitrator in water disputes between India and Pakistan as the bank played a key role in concluding this agreement which allows India to have control over the water flowing into three eastern rivers — Beas, Ravi and Sutlej — also permitting India that it may use the water of western rivers — Chenab, Jhelum and Indus — but it cannot divert the same.

India considers this as a permission to build “run-of-the-river” hydel projects that neither change the course of the river nor deplete the water level downstream.

Replying to a question, the spokesperson said Pakistan would participate in the Doha-III meeting where Special Representative on Afghanistan Ambassador Durrani, and Ambassador to Afghanistan Ubaid Ur Rehman Nizamani would represent the country. The agenda for the talks had been set by the organizers, including the United Nations and the Qatari authorities, she added.

“Pakistan has always said that we respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan, and in that context, it is critical that Afghanistan takes effective action against those terrorist groups which are responsible for terror incidents and attacks inside Pakistan.