ISLAMABAD: Pakistan objected to India’s hydroelectric projects on Chenab and other western rivers during the India-Pakistan Permanent Indus Commission meeting that concluded in Islamabad on Thursday, said the foreign office in a statement.
The annual meeting between the two countries alternatively takes place in Pakistan and India under the relevant provisions of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
India has embarked on ambitious irrigation plans and construction of many upstream dams in recent years, though it says its use of water is strictly in line with the treaty signed between the two countries in 1960.
Pakistan has opposed some of these projects since it maintains they violate the World Bank-mediated agreement on the sharing of Indus waters, noting that 80 percent of Pakistani agriculture depends on it.
“The entire gamut of water-related issues between Pakistan and India were discussed in the meeting,” the foreign office said after the conclusion of the three-day meeting. “Pakistan reiterated its observations on the Kiru Hydroelectric project (HEP) located upstream river Chenab and India’s new run-of-the-river small HEPs on Western rivers.”
The statement added the Indian side was also urged to communicate advance flood-flow information as per the provisions of the treaty since the practice had remained in vogue between the two countries between 1989 and 2018.
Under the IWT, India has been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through run-of-the-river projects on the western rivers, though it subject to specific criteria related to design and operation.
The pact has also given the right to Pakistan to raise objections to the designs of Indian hydroelectric projects on the western rivers which has been done by Islamabad in recent years.
The two neighboring countries witnessed soaring tensions over water rights of the rivers flowing between them soon after their independence in August 1947.
Since the ratification of the treaty after nine years of negotiations, both neighbors decided to stay away from water wars despite full-scale military conflicts between them.
“Both sides reiterated their commitment to implement the Indus Waters Treaty in its true spirit and expressed the hope that the next meeting of the Commission would be held at an early date in India,” the foreign office added.
Pakistan objects to Indian hydroelectric projects at annual Indus Commission meeting
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Pakistan objects to Indian hydroelectric projects at annual Indus Commission meeting
- Islamabad urged the Indian delegation to communicate advance flood-flow information as per the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty
- Both sides hoped the next meeting of the commission would be held at an early date in India
Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month
- The WEF meeting, scheduled to be held in Davos on Jan. 19-23, will focus on global challenges, public-private dialogue and cooperation
- Government, business, civil society and academia leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions to address these issues, set priorities
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Switzerland next month to attend the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistani state media reported on Monday.
The WEF annual meeting, themed as ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ will be held from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23 in Davos, where world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities.
Prime Minister Sharif is expected to interact with global leaders and investors on economic challenges, regional and international issues and various opportunities for cooperation.
On Monday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting in Islamabad to oversee preparations for Sharif’s upcoming visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF meeting, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Dar instructed to maximize the engagements with the incoming Heads of States, Governments and senior leadership of economic, business and financial institutions,” the report read.
The WEF meeting program will be structured around key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress, according to the WEF website.
In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience and innovation will serve as cross-cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.
Pakistani foreign ministry officials briefed the deputy PM about preparations for the WEF meeting, according to Radio Pakistan. The participants of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad discussed in detail the bilateral component and media engagements during the visit.
“He [Dar] further stressed that opportunities be explored to foster collaboration with private sector business entities,” the state broadcaster said.
