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Kishanganga dam case: ICA issues verdict in Pakistan’s favour
ISLAMABAD: The International Court of Arbitration (ICA) has passed its judgement in favour of Pakistan on Kishanganga dam project. The dispute was on the design and operations of the dam, which Pakistan said were in violation of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). Pakistan had also submitted facts and figures regarding water flow in the court. During case proceedings, Indus Water Commissioner Asif Baig and international lawyers, including James Crawford and Simpson Woodsworth, presented their arguments. They were of the view that diversion of Kishanganga near Bandipurah area in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) and installation of power house gates on lower level was violation of Indus Water Treaty and demanded that the project should be closed or its design must be changed. They told the court that this project would affect 30% production of Pakistan’s Neelum-Jhelum power house and cause shortage of 2,000 cusecs of water in Neelum Valley. Meanwhile, the International Court of Arbitration has allowed India to build 330MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project in IHK. However, the neighbouring country has been ordered to provide half of the dam’s water to Pakistan. The court also ruled that India could not take water on a very low level in the dam.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk