UN Sec Gen, others to name Kishenganga umpires

UN Secretary General is among the international personalities who will now decide on the three neutral umpires to settle the dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kishenganga hydro-power project in Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi: The Secretary General of the
United Nations is among the international personalities who
will now decide on the three neutral umpires to settle the
dispute between India and Pakistan over the Kishenganga
hydro-power project in Jammu and Kashmir.

Representatives of India and Pakistan, who met here
today for a draw of lots, agreed to take the services of the
UN chief, Rector, Imperial College of Science and Technology,
London and Lord Justice of England to decide on the three
umpires, including the chairman.
Sources in the government told agency that the two
countries will write separately to the three eminent men
within the next 20 days seeking their asistance on deciding on
the names of the umpires.

While the Secretary General of the UN will name the
Chairman, the Rector of Imperial College will decide on the
umpire (engineering).

The Lord Justice of England will name the umpire
(legal).

As per the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty,
once the process of arbitration is initiated by any of the two
countries, the three umpires, including the chairman, have to
be appointed within 60 days.

If the two countries fail to appoint umpires, the two
parties prepare a draw of lots and request a "person"
mentioned in the Treaty to select the umpire.

India and Pakistan had failed to reach consensus
earlier this month on the names of three neutral umpires for
the International Court of Arbitration which will decide on
resolution of dispute over Kishenganga.

The two countries have already nominated two legal
experts (arbitrators) each to contest their case over the
power project being built in Jammu and Kashmir.
Accusing India of breaching the provisions of the 1960
Indus Water Treaty by diverting the water of the Jhelum
tributary for its Kishenganga hydel power project, Pakistan
sought international arbitration in May this year after the
two countries failed to resolve the issue bilaterally for over
two decades.

Under the provisions of the treaty, the two countries
will have to appoint three umpires, including a Chairman,
before the court of arbitration is set up to decide on the
issue.

PTI

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