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Indus panel to discuss J-K hydro projects
Tribune News Service & PTI

Attari, September 21
A five-member delegation of Pakistan's Indus Water Commission headed by its commissioner reached India today through Attari to participate in the 109th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission to be held in New Delhi from Monday.

According to the agenda of the meeting, Pakistan's objection to 850 MW Ratle, 120 MW Miyar, 48 MW Lower Kalnai and 1,000 MW Pakal Dul hydro projects, proposed to be constructed by India in the Chenab basin, will be discussed. Mirza Asif Beg, Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, said Pakistan had raised objections over the designs of the four projects in view of the provisions of the treaty during the last meeting. "We want the designs to be according to the norms of the treaty and sincerely hope to reach an agreement on the design features," said Beg. The Pakistan authorities were facing difficulties in seeing the spillway and sighting the intake, due to the design, he added.

He said the delegation could also discuss the Kishanganga project besides chalking out future tour of inspections and programmes during the four-day meeting.

Under the provisions of the 1960 Treaty, the two commissioners are required to meet at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan.

Others accompanying Beg included Shiraz Jameel Memon, additional commissioner of the Pakistan Indus Water Commission, and joint secretaries Mohammad Ali Shehzada and Mehar Ali Shah.