Baglihar dam complete, nothing the pakistanis can do

ndia set to complete Baglihar storage structure

From DILSHAD AZEEM
ISLAMABAD - India is all set to complete Baglihar project’s water storage structure by end of this month with the World Bank still unmoved over the appointment of a neutral expert as requested by Pakistan two months ago under the Indus Waters Treaty 1960.
“We have received reports from various sources that India will complete the water storage structure of Baglihar dam within this month. After this, it would be almost impossible to force it through the World Bank or any other third party to step back,” sources in the Ministry of Water and Power told The Nation.
After Pakistan’s refusal to hold further bilateral talks with India unless it halts construction work on the project and the World Bank’s slow response, the solution to the dispute over Baglihar is expected not to be more than a simple assurance from India to provide water to Pakistan in accordance with previous water discharge from India to Pakistan in Chenab River, these sources maintained.

Pakistan in the lurch

PLAYING down Pakistan’s expectations of appointment of a World Bank-nominated neutral expert to mediate on the controversial Baglihar dam project in accordance with the Indus Basin Treaty, the Bank has conveyed to Pakistan that it should revert to the bilateral track to find a “suitable path for resolution of the issue.” This amounts to a marked departure from the Bank’s previous stand, when outgoing President James Wolfensohn visited Pakistan in February and stated that the Bank would deal with the problem by the book and appoint a neutral expert “within a matter of weeks.” The U-turn lends credence to the argument that with far more Bank dollars circulating under many more programmes in India, it would have faced difficulties in throwing its weight behind the Pakistani stance. Though the Indian government has also called for bilateral talks, its sincerity is dubious. Not only has New Delhi refused to recognise the legitimacy of Islamabad’s claim, it has also not halted construction of the dam-which goes on at a furious pace-to allow for negotiations.

WB for bilateral talks to solve Baglihar issue

From UMER FAROOQ
ISLAMABAD - The World Bank wants Pakistan to revert to bilateral track for resolving the Baglihar Dam dispute, which has become one of the thorniest issues in the ongoing dialogue process between the two sides.
Diplomatic sources said that the World Bank has informally conveyed to Pakistan that the bilateral track could prove to be more suitable path for the resolution of Baglihar Dam issue.
This appears to be a recent development as until last month officials were quite upbeat about the appointment of a neutral expert in accordance with the provisions of Indus Water Treaty.
The World Bank president visited Islamabad in the first week of February and after meeting Pakistani leaders he had said that the appointment of neutral expert will take two to four weeks.
Pakistan had moved the World Bank for the settlement of Baglihar Dam issue after talks in the ongoing composite dialogue process broke down.
In a letter to the World Bank, Pakistani authorities had asked the bank to appoint a neutral expert in accordance with the provision of Indus Water Treaty.
However, even after the passage of more than a month the World Bank has not appointed the neutral expert for the ascertainment of the facts relating to Baglihar Dam project.
Pakistan officials recently said that under the provision of the treaty the neutral expert should be appointed within one month of application from either party to the dispute.
Reportedly, Pakistan has asked the World Bank not to delay any further the appointment of a neutral expert.