Pak issues fresh threat to move WB over Kishenganga project

New Delhi, Apr 25 (PTI) Pakistan has issued a fresh
threat to move the World Bank for arbitration over Kishenganga
power project in north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir,
which it alleges violates the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.
Pakistan has issued the threat in a recent letter to
India, the third such communication in last one year, official
sources said.
In the letter, Pakistan has said the Indus Water Treaty,
which governs sharing of six common river waters, is being
violated by the Kishenganga project and it has the "right" to
move the World Bank for arbitration, they said.
Pakistan's fresh threat comes after several rounds of
bilateral talks failed to end differences over the issue.
Under the Treaty, World Bank is an arbitrator in
disputes between India and Pakistan over sharing of river
water and it can be invoked by either country.
Pakistan has been opposing construction of the power
project on Kishenganga, claiming it violates the Indus Water
Treaty, a contention rejected by India.
Work on the 330-MW project, capacity of which can be
raised to 990 MW, started in 1994 and Pakistan immediately
protested, prompting talks between the two countries to
resolve it.
Under the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan has exclusive
right over three of the common rivers -- Indus, Jhelum and
Chenab -- while India has exclusive right over Sutlej, Ravi
and Beas. Kishenganga is a tributary of Jhelum river.
Pakistan has been alleging the diversion of flow will
adversely affect its agriculture and hydroelectric project on
river Neelam -- as Jhelum is known across the border. (MORE)
PTI