Pak-India water talks start; Pakistan seeks installation of telemetric system

A three-day talks over water issues between Pakistan and India started on Sunday in Lahore.

The agenda of the three-day annual meeting of the Indus water treaty commission is 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.

During the meeting Pakistan raised few objections about the construction of two new power projects by India at the Indus River. However, two sides agreed to keep the height of free board in new Nemobaaz Go project up to one meter.

The Pakistani water commission while expressing its apprehensions about the violations of Indus Basin Treaty, conveyed Pakistani concerns about the construction of Nemobaaz Go and Chutak power plants at the River Sindh by India that will block 35,000 foot per acre water.

The Pakistani Indus Water Commissioner said that installation of telemetric system was possible, saying he would consult his experts on the proposal.

He said the objections raised by his Pakistani counterpart would also be discussed.

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.

Nathan said that new meeting would be held soon if two sides failed to resolve the dispute during this visit.

After the conclusion of first day talks between the two sides, Pakistan Indus Water Commissioner Jamat Ali Shah said that more discussion would take place on Indus Power Project.

- Asian Tribune -