India, Pak hold meeting on water issues

UNDER THE relevant provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, the meeting takes place alternatively in India and Pakistan annually.

At the two-day 118th meeting of the Pakistan-India Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) in New Delhi that ended on Tuesday, Pakistan said it had “highlighted its objections on India’s Hydroelectric projects on the Western rivers” and had also sought a response from India to “Pakistan’s objections on Indian projects including Pakal Dul”.

In a statement, Pakistan claimed that the “Indian side assured to arrange tours/inspections after the coming flood season” and that the “Indian side also assured that Pakistan’s outstanding objections would be discussed in the next meeting as the Indian side is still in the process of examining the details”.

Islamabad also urged New Delhi “to communicate advance flood-flow information as per the provisions of the Treaty and the practice in vogue since 1989 until 2018.”

Under the relevant provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, the meeting takes place alternatively in India and Pakistan annually. The Indian side was headed by the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters A. K. Pal while the six-member Pakistani delegation was led by Pakistan’s Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Muhammad Mehar

Ali Shah.

In a separate statement, New Delhi said that “during the meeting, annual report of the PIC for the year ending on 31 March 2022 was finalised and signed”and that the “meeting was held in a cordial manner”. New Delhi added, “The Commission appreciated the commitment of the two sides to interact frequently and resolve issues through bilateral discussions under the Indus Water Treaty. It was agreed to hold the next meeting of the PIC in Pakistan on mutually convenient dates.”

The PIC is a bipartisan body entrusted with everyday implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty, which mandates it to meet at least once every year, alternately in India and Pakistan.