Pakistan urges World Bank to stop India’s projects on Neelum, Chenab rivers: Reports

On Tuesday, Pakistan had approached The World Bank with senior officials taking up the matter with the international lender which had mediated the water-sharing deal. The meeting took place amid reports that India could revoke the 56-year-old Indus Waters Treaty.

A delegation of the Government of Pakistan led by the Attorney General for Pakistan, Ashtar Ausaf Ali, met with senior officials of The World Bank at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC to discuss matters relating to Pakistan’s recent Request for Arbitration given to India pursuant to Article IX of the Indus Waters Treaty, 1960, Geo News reported.

On August 19, Pakistan had formally requested India for settlement of outstanding disputes pertaining to India’s construction of Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric plants on rivers Neelum and Chenab rivers respectively, by referring the matters to the Court of Arbitration as provided in Article IX of the Treaty.

Under the treaty, The World Bank has an important role in establishment of the Court of Arbitration by facilitating the process of appointment of three judges, called Umpires, to the Court, while each country appoints two arbitrators.

Advisor on Foreign Affairs to Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif had said on Tuesday that the the international law states India cannot unilaterally separate itself from the treaty.

with inputs from PTI