Islamabad, Apr. 1 (ANI): Even though the International Court of Arbitration (ICA) has already announced its partial award on the controversial Kishanganga dam, the dispute is far from over.
Pakistan and India may soon enter a new legal battle if New Delhi doesn't change the design of the hydropower project being built on the Neelum-Jehlum river in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, reports The Express Tribune.
According to sources, Islamabad has asked New Delhi to not restart the construction of the dam until differences over the project have been resolved either amicably or through the intervention of a neutral expert. They added that since India is noncommittal, Pakistan may be forced to approach a neutral expert earlier than expected.
Both legal and technical issues surrounding the dam remain unresolved. But while the legal issues will be removed once the ICA announces its final award in December 2013, technical aspects have yet to be put before a neutral expert.
Meanwhile, experts believe the process is being delayed.
According to an official of the ministry of water and power, Pakistan's Commissioner for Indus Water Mirza Asif Baig had opposed the initiation of the process shortly after the conclusion of the ICA hearing in August last year. Baig recommended taking up the technical issues before a neutral expert after the ICA announced the partial award.
On March 18, the Pakistani foreign ministry sent a letter to the Indian High Commission in Islamabad saying that unless the design of Kishanganga dam was modified, Pakistan would have to move to a neutral expert.
According to the report, India had previously taken the stance that the design of Kishanganga dam was consistent with the Indus Water Treaty. Baig said that appointing a neutral expert will be necessary to resolve differences if India continues to maintain this stance. (ANI)
|
|
Comments:
