Summary Second round of five-day Indo-Pak Indus Commision meeting begins in Lahore.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The second round of a five-day meeting between India-Pakistan Indus Commissions continues at Nespak Headquarters in Lahore on Monday, Dunya News reported. Indian delegation of Indus Water Commission arrived in Lahore on Saturday to hold talks over the water dispute between the two countries. Mirza Asif Baig, Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner, heading the Pakistan delegation, raised serious objections against the four hydropower projects on the Chenab River in Indian Kashmir, in the meeting with his Indian counterpart K. Vohra. In the ongoing Indus Water Treaty talks between India and Pakistan, Pakistan voiced its concerns on the sites of Pakal Dul, Lower Kalnai, Miyar and Kishanganga hydropower projects.
Although the talks between the two commissions are mandatory, they were held after a break of two years. The last meeting was held in December 2011.
According to sources, in the first round of the five-day meeting, Pakistan had called for modification in the designs of the dams while also expressing concerns over the Kishanganga dam on Jehlum River that can quite possibly reduce the required water discharged to Pakistan.
The officials from the two countries would discuss all issues in detail in the second round today in order to resolve them mutually.
It may be mentioned here that under the provision of the Indus Water Treaty signed between the two countries in 1960, the waters of eastern rivers Sutlej, Beas and Ravi had been allocated to India whereas the western rivers Indus, Jehlum and Chenab were allocated to Pakistan apart from certain uses allowed to India including generation of hydro power through the flow of river plants.
Meanwhile, the Muttahida Kissan Mahaz held a press conference at Lahore Press Club on Sunday demanding from Pakistan Commission to refuse to accept the Indian hydropower projects. They also announced protest against Indian hydrology war at Wagha Border on September 6.
