Pakistan

Khawaja Asif terms PCA award on Kishenganga dam a 'big victory' for Pakistan

India shall release a minimum flow of 9 cumecs into the Kishenganga/Neelum River below the KHEP at all times.

Web Desk December 21, 2013

An image of the Kishenganga dam (pointed on map) and the KHEP power house for which India plans to divert water from the Kishenganga/Neelum river. PHOTO: COURTESY COURT OF ARBITRATION

THE HAGUE: The Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif termed award from the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Kishenganga Dam as a big victory of Pakistan, Radio Pakistan reported.

Pakistan has achieved a big victory in the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) in Kishin Ganga dam case ... (1/3)
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 21, 2013

In a statement‚ Asif said the PCA has accepted Pakistan's right to the water of Kishenganga as riparian state.

We have achieved a big victory in terms that ICA has accepted Pakistan’s right 2 the water as riparian state on waters of Kishin Ganga (2/3)
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 21, 2013

Asif said that Pakistan's right over the water Jhelum and Chenab rivers has also been established now.

Similarly Pak’s right over the waters of Jhelum and Chenab rivers is also established which will safeguard our water rights in future also..
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 21, 2013

According to the ruling, which was partially awarded earlier this year, the PCA noted that Pakistan had a right to the water as a riparian state, and that India can make its proposed Kishenganga dam by diverting river water as long as a minimum river down-flow is maintained.

On Friday, the court decided that India shall release a minimum flow of 9 cumecs into the Kishenganga/Neelum River below the KHEP at all times.

“The Court also decided that either India or Pakistan may seek reconsideration of this decision through the Permanent Indus Commission and the mechanisms of the Indus Waters Treaty after a period of seven years from the first diversion of water from the Kishenganga/Neelum River.”

In its decision on a clarification and interpretation of the partial award sought by India, the court ruled that while the clarification sought was admissible, its award was applicable generally.

“Subject to Paragraph B(4) of the “Decision” section (Part V) in the Partial Award of February 18, 2013, the prohibition on the reduction below Dead Storage Level of the water in the reservoirs of Run-of-River Plants on the Western Rivers, except in the case of unforeseen emergency, is of general application.”