LAHORE – Pakistan and India have revived the water talks under the IndusWater Treaty.
A Pakistani delegation will travel tomorrow (on Sunday) to India and holdtalks on resolving the thorny water issues between the two countries underthe Indus Water Treaty (IWT) signed by the rival states in 1960.
According to details, a three-member delegation, through the Wagah border,led by Indus Water Commissioner Mehr Ali Shah, will visit India (tomorrow)for inspection of Indian hydroelectric projects construction in the Chenabbasin, as mandated by the IWT.
It will be the first official engagement with India on water issues sincethe new government of Prime Minister Imran Khan came to power in Augustlast year.
The Pakistan delegation is set to inspect the Lower Kulnai and Pakal Dalprojects being constructed over the Chenab River.
Syed Mehr Ali Shah said that the Indian authorities have also hinted atallowing the inspection of other controversial projects during the January27 to February 1 visit.
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He said that “Initially, India was not ready for the talks; but we kept intouch with them under the Indus Water Treaty,” adding that, “India agreedto the visit by the Pakistan delegation after Pakistan forcefully raisedthe issue on Indian violating the treaty.”
He said that an Indian delegation led by its water commissioner PK Sexenavisited Pakistan in August and it was agreed between the two countries thatall the issues between the two countries would be resolved under the IWT.
Earlier, Pakistan had raised serious concerns over the designs particularly1,000MW Pakal Dul and 48MW Lower Kalnai projects on the River Chenab, andtermed them as the violation of Indus Water Treaty.
Pakistan argued that India could use these reservoirs to create artificialwater shortage or flooding in Pakistan, demanding India to allow inspectionof various hydroelectric projects.
