World Bank expert, Pakistan team in J&K next week to examine hydro projects

Pakistan has been raising objections to the construction of the hydroelectric power projects in J&K, saying the water discharge to the country would be reduced because of them.

The J&K government has appointed 25 liaison officers — all of them from the J&K administrative cadre — to facilitate the delegations. In a circular, the government asked the liaison officers to report at the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation in Jammu and Srinagar for “briefing about the duties and responsibilities during the visit”.

In 2015, Pakistan approached the World Bank and requested it to appoint a neutral expert to examine the two power plants after the two countries failed to reach an agreement.

However, Pakistan later withdrew its request for a neutral expert and instead asked for the court of arbitration to adjudicate over the dispute.

The World Bank appointed both the neutral expert and as well as the court of arbitration.