Indian water experts to visit Pakistan this month

Indian water experts to visit Pakistan this monthIslamabad, Jan 7 : A team of Indian water experts will visit Pakistan later this month to study the projects built on the Ravi and Sutlej.

Pakistan’s Commissioner of the Indus Water Commission, Syed Jamaat Ali, said that during their visit the Indian delegation would look at projects including Sulemanki and Balloki Headworks.

“The date for the visit has not so far been confirmed. These are routine visits, but since long no visit has taken place,” The News quoted Jamaat Ali, as saying.

“After the visit of the Indian team, we will go to India to examine the projects being built by India on the Indus River,” he added.

According to reports, the experts from India might visit the Neelum-Jehlum project, which is of paramount importance since India is also constructing the Kishanganga Hydropower project on the same tributary, which originates from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan has objected to the design of the Kishanganga Hydropower project being built by India in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that it is not in line with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Pakistani officials had earlier said that they have plans to approach the International Court of Arbitration and seek appointment of a neutral expert over the project, alleging that its design was “faulty” and the water of Neelem river was being diverted. (ANI)