Pakistan to involve WB on resolution of Baghliar Dam dispute: FO
Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Report

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan Saturday said Pakistan intends to involve the World Bank for the resolution of Baghliar Dam dispute.

Reacting to Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh's statement that Pakistan will not take the Baghliar Dam issue to international court of justice, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan has decided to give a final chance to India till January-6.

He said the last meeting between Pakistan and India to resolve the dispute will be held from January-4 to 6.

Secretary Water and Power Ashfaq Mehmood will visit New Delhi at the head of an eight-member Pakistan delegation on January-3.

The Final Opportunity

He hoped that India will not loose the final opportunity and extend maximum cooperation for the just resolution of the dispute.

Pakistan has been making earnest efforts since 1992 to resolve this issue, but the hard Indian stance has proved to be a hindrance in its resolution.

Pakistan believes that the current design of Baglihar Dam was against the spirit of Sindh-Tass agreement.

It was decided by Pakistan last year that the World Bank will be asked for its neutral experts in accordance with Article 92-A of the Sindh-Tass agreement for resolution of Baglihar Dam dispute.

India's Delaying Tactics

Despite Indian commitments, no progress so far has been made from April to November 2004, he added.

Indians have used delaying tactics and have not provided the technical data to Pakistan on December-6 last year.

To a question he said Pakistan and India have exchanged the lists of nuclear installations of each other on January-1.

The Indian diplomat was called in the Foreign Office Islamabad and was handed over the list. Similarly the Pakistani diplomat was called in the Indian Foreign Office in New Delhi and handed over the lists, he added.●