Islamabad, Oct 16: A three-member Pakistani team would undertake a five-day visit to India beginning Sunday to inspect the Baglihar power project on River Chenab in Jammu and Kashmir to verify its objections that the project was in "violation" of the Indus Water Treaty between the two nations. Foreign office officials said here that the dates for the visit of the delegation led by Pakistan's commissioner for permanent Indus Commission Syed Jamat Ali Shah have been finalised in consultation with India.

"Dates have been finalised and travel documents of the team members are being processed," the officials were quoted as saying by local daily 'Dawn'. They said that the visit was Baglihar-specific and not meant to visit other rivers and tributaries flowing from Kashmir into Pakistan. Islamabad has also raised objections over Kishanganga project on River Jhelum.

Under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, India has granted the riparian rights of the three rivers including Indus, Chenab and Jhelum to Pakistan. Islamabad alleges that the 450 MW Baglihar project, which India terms as purely a power project aimed at meeting the power requirements of the area as violation of the treaty.

Pakistan has rejected the design specification of the project, saying that it has the potential to "impede" the flow of water to its soil.

Bureau Report