Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Pakistan is planning to approach World Bank to resolve the Baglihar issue. Looks like both countries cant solve this issue bilaterally…

Baglihar: India to respond if Pak approaches WB

PTI TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2005 07:57:18 PM ]

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NEW DELHI: Observing that more talks on the Baglihar hydro power project in Jammu and Kashmir could lead to “further convergence”, India on Tuesday said it would respond “appropriately” if Pakistan chose to approach the World Bank to resolve differences over it.

“Well if Pakistan chooses to go to the World Bank disregarding the offer we have made for further discussions, then we will respond appropriately,” External Affairs spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

He was responding to reports that Islamabad has decided to approach the World Bank for a solution to the project being constructed by India in J and K following failure of the talks last week in New Delhi.

Reports quoting Pakistan officials said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, at a high-level meeting last night, directed concerned government departments to make preparations on “priority” basis to approach the UN body.

The World Bank had brokered the 1960 Indus Basin Water Treaty between India and Pakistan to share the waters of six rivers which flow from India into the neighbouring country.

Maintaining that India’s stand was well known that the Baglihar was a “run-of-the-river” project, Sarna said “we believe it is fully compatible with the provision of the Indus Water Treaty between the two countries”.

Referring to the recently-concluded bilateral talks between the two countries on the project, he said “the Indian side presented very detailed technical information to the Pakistani side to convince them that in our view there is no ground for any apprehension that the project violates the Indus Water Treaty.”

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

Well irs needs to be done, afterall it is within the treaty, and secondly the building of a dam could have termendous stratrgic importance, espically in Kashmir... This issue must be give importance.

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

Pakistan must reach world bank to solve this issue because both india and pakistan are uncapable of solving their matters bilateraly.

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

In general, when Pakistan has approached an International org, the results have been generally fair. Bilateralism with India is like David vs Goliath just doesn't go anywhere..It is a numbers/power game. This situation is particularly important as the dam will be in IOK on Chenab river (as per Indus Waters treaty it's alocated to Pakistan)

To those smart aleck Pakistanis talking about dumping Kashmir as a policy objective, where are all of you now? I think that the day we abandon Kashmir as a people, Pakistan should go to hell...

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

That attitude, wont make you manhy friends! :wink:

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

Pakistan should let the events run its course and see if India is even able to build this in the first place. And if they are successful, Pakistan should try to convey to India and the international community that all the water flowing into through Indus and tributaries has been contained and would promptly either shipped back to India or flowed back. Nothing to it. Baglihar is India's prerogative.

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

India will build this thing soon. By the time the World Bank comes and looks at the place, you'll have a power generator running for months.

Kashmiris on the Indian side are mostly in favor of this because it benefits them first and foremost and see Pakistan's objections as another manifestation of the Punjabi desire to use Kashmir as a tool for their own good, like what happened with the Mangla dam.

Pakistan's objections are just drama and without merit.

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

Not worried. I am not here to make friends.

Time will tell how this issue evolves.

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

they don't trust india's word on non-diversion of water....but pakistani word is to be trusted on not cutting off supply of gas through Iran-India pipeline?

displaying overt distrust is no way to start a peace process

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Re: Should Pakistan approach WB on Baglihar issue?

Why is Pakistan delaying in presenting this case? Pakistan, it seems is facing a losing battle as far as preparing the response to Prof Lafitte, the World Bank appointed neutral expert on the Baglihar Dam issue, is concerned.

http://www.pakistanlink.com/Headlines/Dec05/17/03.htm

Pakistan prepares response on neutral expert

ISLAMABAD, Dec 17 : Pakistani authorities are still in process of preparing a response to be presented to the World Bank appointed neutral expert on his latest observations regarding Baglihar Dam with indications that the decision may go against it (Pakistan).

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“The sluggishness on part of the authorities concerned in preparing a reply on the latest observations of the neutral expert and earlier delay in moving the World Bank have considerably weakened Pakistan in contesting the case,” sources said.
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The neutral expert has given the deadline of December 30, 2005 to submit the reply on the observations that he gave after visiting the Baglihar Dam a few months back along with the authorities from both the countries.

“Pakistan must submit its reply without delaying its response,” the sources in Water and Power Ministry said while referring to the slow pace of working being carried out by officials from Foreign Office, Indus Water Commission and the ministry itself.

The construction of Baglihar Dam by India may cause reduction of 7 to 8 thousand cusecs per day water in the Rabi cropping season that can adversely affect the crops in Pakistan specially Punjab.

The World Bank appointed neutral expert in May 10 last after consultation with Pakistan and India since both failed to resolve the issue at the platform of Indus Water Commission, existing between the two countries since the 1960 Water Treaty.

According to Pakistan, India is violating the water treaty by starting construction of Baglihar project on the Chenab River waters without seeking approval from Islamabad.

The World Bank has already cleared its position that it is not a guarantor to the treaty.