Pakistan preparing to move ICJ over Baglihar Dam case
Pakistan Times Monitoring Report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has formally started preparations also to move the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over Baglihar dam in case India does not redesign its project through neutral expert to be appointed by the World Bank, sources told The Nation here.

According to initial assessment by Pakistan’s officials, one million US dollars finances would be required for contesting the case in ICJ provided a settlement is not reached through the neutral expert.

The ICJ is the next and final option for Pakistan to compel India to redesign the project.

Top officials from the Water and Power Ministry, Foreign Office and Permanent Commission of Indus Waters (PCIW) held a meeting here a few days back and reviewed various aspects of Baglihar and Kishanganga projects being constructed by India in violation of the bilateral treaty.

Of neutral expert

The World Bank has not yet appointed a neutral expert despite the passage of more than two months to the request Pakistan moved before it under Pakistan-India bilateral agreement, the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. The bank was facilitator of the treaty.

“We have estimate of one million US dollars expenses for a panel of lawyers who will contest Pakistan’s case in ICJ as a neutral expert has yet to be appointed by the WB despite reminders in the last weeks,” the relevant sources said.

At present, the Finance Ministry is directly communicating with the Bank on neutral expert’s appointment. The Attorney General of Pakistan and Foreign Office authorities would be in picture if the case is taken to the ICJ.

Islamabad raised serious objections over Baglihar, Wullar Barrage and Kishanganga projects of India as these would seriously impede water flows towards Pakistan, particularly in Chenab and Jehlum rivers.

On Kishanganga project, a team of Indian PCIW is arriving Pakistan on May 7 to hold negotiations on the project that would cause reduction in water flows in Jehlum River as India is diverting water of Neelum river.●