Pakistan-India water talks begin in Lahore

Boats parked at the banks of Indus River due to shortage of water. – APP (File Photo) 

 

LAHORE: The three-day annual meeting of the Indus water treaty commission began in Lahore on Sunday where the agenda of the first round of talks was the two new power plants initiated by India.

The nine-member delegation of Indian water commission is headed by G Aranga Nathan while Jamaat Ali Shah is heading the Pakistani water commission.

According to Shah, the Indian commission has come to hear Pakistan’s point of view on the water dispute. The agricultural and hydroelectric uses of water allowed under the treaty will also be discussed.

The main agenda of the first day was the decrease of water level in River Chenab and the construction of Nemobaaz Go and Chutak power plants at the River Sindh by India that will block 35,000 foot per acre water.

While speaking to the media after the end of the first day's session of talks with his Indian counterpart, Shah said that Pakistan’s objection on the design of Indian Chutak project will be discussed on the second day of talks.

Shah said that the Indus Water treaty Commission wants to resolve all pending issues so that the trust of public could be built on the commission.

While the Indian Commissioner Nathan said that they will examine the Pakistan's point of view with their telemetric experts.   

The Indian delegation has handed over the construction plan and map of the Nemobaaz Go power plant and briefing has been given in this regard by the Indian technical officers.

Moreover, the commissions have agreed to keep the free board height of Neemobaaz Go dam at one metre.