Jammu , October 21
A three-member Pakistani team, headed by the Indus Water Commissioner, Syed Jamaiat Ali Shah, had a detailed discussion with Indian experts, led by Mr A.D. Wadhwa, Commissioner, at the 900 MW Bhagliar power project, which is under construction. The Pakistani side raised objections on the design of the project relating to the construction of floodgates.

Mr Shah told newspersons that “when the design of the project was sent to us, we had conveyed to our Indian counterpart that there was no need for raising the floodgates.”

However, Mr Wadhwa described the Pakistani objection as a “question of perception.” He said: “The project warranted gates and we have explained to the Pakistani team that the gates did not violate the spirit of the Indus Water Treaty signed by the two sides in 1960.”

To a question, Mr Shah said “the treaty can neither be reviewed nor modified unless both sides agree.”

He said the treaty was beneficial for both countries. “There have been differences between the two sides on the design of the project, but these have been resolved through negotiations,” he added.

He said in case of a dispute, the matter “can be sent to a neutral expert for judgement or the two governments can resolve the differences.”