Verdict on Kishanganga project expected this month
The International Court of Arbitration (ICA) is expected to announce its verdict till the next month. – File Photo
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani delegation left for Hague on Tuesday for the hearing on controversial Kishanganga hydropower project on Jhelum River. The International Court of Arbitration (ICA) is expected to announce its verdict till the next month, DawnNews reported.
The delegation, headed by Adviser to the PM on agriculture and water resources Kamal Majeedullah, will consult its legal team in London before going for the hearing in Hague.
The project’s hearing will take place from July 20 to July 30 in Hague.
India, a party to the project, will present its stance on the project in the light of Indus basin treaty.
Pakistan had earlier claimed that Kishanganga project was a clear violation of the treaty signed by the two countries in 1960.
Pakistan was of the view that, if the the dam was built then it would reduce water flow in the Neelum River and ultimately reduce electricity production of the country.
Earlier, the ICA had barred India from any permanent works on the controversial project on River Neelum at Gurez in occupied Kashmir in response to Pakistan’s appeal for ‘interim measures’ against the dam which may inhibit the restoration of the river flow to its natural channel.
ICA’s delegation had twice visited Neelum-Jhelum project, Neelum Valley and Kishanganga project.
Pakistan had submitted all the evidences and responses to the ICA.
Nonsense, Usman. The Indus Waters Treaty allows India to construct run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects that do not decrease the flow of water to Pakistan on the western rivers. The Indus Waters Treaty does not make any stipulation as to size of the project or place any ceiling on the number of people or area that it can benefit.
PAKISTANI LEADERS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO UTILISE THE WATER. THEY CAN NOT MAKE A CONSENSUS. WHAT IS THIS. WE SHOULD BEHAVE AS UNITED PAKISTANIS AND LET KALABAGH DAM TO BE CONSTRUCTED
what about popular support for designers of 26/11.many counties go to war over such incidents;restricting water can be used as a tool for peace and strengthening the hands of moderates in pakistan
Just like in case of Baglihar dam, Pakistan will once again bite the dust.
The learning point for India is that why we need this treaty? Pakistan will get less as a lower riparian state as per international laws than what it is getting under IWT. Had Pakistan been upper riparian state, this treaty would have gone to dogs since long.
You stand corrected Mr Shri, Baghliar dam arbitration was bestowed to India not because of you being on righteousness but Pakistan failing to object in due course of six months. India still is violator of Indus Water Treaty. India is allowed to conduct and make small spill ways and turbines to local population need not for mega projects.
amit, you are soo wrong, it is not about the ISI or Electricity, it is about India stopping water to Pakistan and using this project as a weapon against Pakistan, wake up and smell whats going round!!
Both countires should work together to build dams and share electricty for people…
No offences but Pakistan should ask for its share of water and electricity from India but should not stop it from building dams. Unlike Pakistan , at least India is building it and not letting waters go waste in to Arabian sea. For years Pakistan could make any dam and hence forth reeling under acute shortage of electircity and water. Kalabagh dam is one major example which never came in to existence due to bitter fight between Punjab, Sindh and other provinces. But India should not stop Pakistan's share of water and electricity as that is meant for people of Pakistan and not ISI.
India does not stop Pakistan's share of water. This all in the minds of Pakistanis. According to the Indus Water Treaty, India have every right to build dams for generating electricity for the betterment of its people.
@happygolucky, you are referring to the eastern rivers; Ravi, Beas & Sutluj not the western rivers. Thats the property of Pakistan, BUT India is allowed to make small projects like spill turbines and distribution of water for its people not a mega watt project like Baghliar and Kishanganga. You need to shine your mind and more so the vision to inject clarity.
Amit..I understand the logic of preserving water that otherwise washes away into Arabian sea. It is unfortunate that Pakistani politician can not build consensus on projects of "national" importance. In this case, trust deficit is cause of all the hoopla. The greater risk of having Indian dam could mean complete shut off of water when ever India desires.
I agree with Mr. Amit. It is very disturbing indeed, the way in which these important decisions have been handled over the years by our so called leaders. It was evident that these circumstances will occur as a consequence of the minimal efforts being made during the past decades. Its about time, although very late, that the people should realize what has been the performance of the leadership over the years & avoid chosing the same guys again during the elections.
No offence as well, but the water flow doesn't go in vain or waste as most of the water from Indus tributaries is consumed for irrigation/agriculture and for domestic use. We came up with this treaty so as there is no point of contention on distribution of water not that we should see each other in court. Already Bagliar dam has been bestowed in your lab but not this time. Nope.
Kalabagh dam is an internal and political issue its better if you would go and ask Anna and Medha Patkar what are they fighting for in Narmada Bachao Andolan.