‘Pakistan’s objections over construction of dams on rivers by India uncalled for’

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan’s objection over the hydroelectric or water storage projects being built by India on rivers inside its border before they cross the border is totally uncalled for, as the Indus Treaty signed between both countries clearly lays detailed specifications regarding number of projects New Delhi can undertake.

In response to Ahmer Bilal Soofi’s article published in the Dawn on April 18, which raised questions over hydropower project being constructed by India on the western rivers, the Indian High Commission in Islamabad has clarified that India is doing nothing wrong.

A statement issued by the High Commission said that the annexure ‘D’ of the Indus Treaty, which was inked in 1960, gives detailed technical specifications of hydroelectric projects India can build to safeguard the interests of both the sides and to ensure that Pakistan is not deprived of its share of water from these rivers.

It said that India has so far exploited only a fraction of the hydroelectric potential available to it on the western rivers under the treaty.

” The treaty requires us to provide certain technical specifications to Pakistan two to six months in advance of the construction of river works. We have provided information in respect of 33 projects,” the statement undersigned by Sidharth Zutshi, First Secretary, Press and Information, High Commission of India, stated.

The statement also rejected the notion that India has breached the accord on several occasions.

” India has all along adhered to the provisions of this treaty and will continue to do so. Moreover, the permanent Indus commission, constituted under the treaty, is the best forum to resolve all such matters,” it added. (ANI)