Pakistani delegation visits Jammu and Kashmir to inspect power projects

A five-member delegation from Pakistan along with a neutral delegation from the World Bank is scheduled to visit Jammu and Kashmir from June 17-28 in the wake of Pakistan’s opposition to at least 10 ongoing hydroelectric projects in the Union Territory under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT).

Government officials on Saturday appointed 25 liaison officers for the visit by neutral experts and “Indian and Pakistani delegations”. The officers have been instructed to report to the offices of the managing directors of the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Authority in Jammu and Srinagar respectively for “briefing on their duties and responsibilities during the visit”.

Sources said the delegation is likely to jointly inspect several power projects during the tour. This is the first time that the federal government will facilitate a Pakistani delegation’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir to “work towards resolving outstanding issues through coordination and dialogue” since the central government ended Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.

read:What is the Indus Waters Treaty and why is India seeking its amendment?

The visit of the Pakistani delegation to Jammu and Kashmir marks a shift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s previous position, in which he had repeatedly hinted at repealing the Inland Waterways Act.

The visit comes amid Pakistan’s opposition to several major hydroelectric projects including Pakal Dul (1,000 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW). Pakistan has also raised objections to other projects in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including 10 other hydroelectric projects at Durbuk Shokh, Nim Chiling, Kil, Tamasha, Kalaroorth II, Baltikuran Small, Kargil Hunderman, Pagla, Klang Ramwari and Mandi.

In March 2022, Pakistan formally raised its objection at the annual meeting of the Permanent Commission on Indus Waters, which was also attended by a 10-member delegation from India.

Under the IWT, India was given full rights over three rivers in the east – the Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej – and Pakistan was given rights over three rivers in the west – the Indus, the Jhelum and the Chenab – although India is allowed limited use of the western rivers for domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural purposes.

The World Bank would normally appoint a neutral expert and finalize the name of the chairman of the arbitral tribunal between India and Pakistan. The neutral expert would be tasked with inspecting water projects, infrastructure, usage patterns and submitting a compliance report on inland waterways.