New Delhi, May 28: The annual Indus Water Commission meeting will today begin in New Delhi to discuss among other issues, Pakistan`s decision to seek appointment of international experts to verify its objection on construction of a hydro-electric project on Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian commissioner of the Indus water fixed the 4-day annual meet after Pakistan served a notice asking India to take a decision on appointment of a neutral expert to resolve differences over the 450MW Baglihar project.
India has already rejected Pakistan`s objections while Pakistan continues to insist that the project was in violation of the 1960 Indus River Water Treaty. Pakistan commissioner for Indus waters Syed Jamaat Ali Shah heads the Pakistan delegation to India, which includes technical experts and a legal adviser from the Pakistan foreign office, the paper said.
Pakistan had sought dates for the meeting of the Permanent Commission on Indus Commission (PCIW) from India through a written communication. The last regular meeting of the commission was held in New Delhi in 2002 from May 30 to June 1. The PCIW meets once every year to exchange data on water and weather-related issues. A special meeting of the PCIW was held here early February on Pakistan`s request during which India rejected Islamabad`s objection over the project.
Islamabad`s main concern is that the gated spillways provided for the Baglihar project would give India the capability to manipulate the flow of water to Pakistan`s disadvantage. Bureau Report