ISLAMABAD: Kamal Majidullah, special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Water Resources and Agriculture, on Friday dispelled the impression created by a section of media that verdict of the International Court of Arbitration in Kishanganga dispute was‚ in any way‚ in favour of India or against Pakistan, instead, he said, this would compel India to change design of the project.
The verdict of the Arbitration Court in Kishanganga dispute is in favour of Pakistan and it will help check violations of Indus Basin Waters Treaty by India, Kamal said in a news conference in Islamabad on Friday.
Kamal said Pakistan had put two questions before the Court of Arbitration for determination. The Court has given its conclusive determination on one question while on the second the final award will be given in December 2013.
The special assistant was of the view that the decision on two points raised by India regarding Environment and Kashmir territorial issue were also in favour of Pakistan.
Kamal said the court decided that Indus Waters Treaty does not permit reduction below the dead storage level of the water level in the reservoirs of run-of-river plants on the Western Rivers. Thus India cannot employ drawdown flushing that would entail depletion of reservoir below the dead storage level – not only at Kishanganga but for all future run-of-river hydroelectric plants.
He said such clear interpretation prohibiting India from lowering the reservoir water levels below the Dead Storage level is a major relief for Pakistan as this protects her right to receive uninterrupted water supplies on the Western rivers.
This decision, he said, is particularly significant in the protection of Pakistan’s rights under the Indus Waters Treaty as India has planned 150 run-of-river power plants of 47 to 50 MWs on the Western Rivers.
The PM special assistant said the decision has guaranteed water to Pakistan for irrigation and other purposes. He said India cannot begin construction until disputes‚ differences and issues are resolved. He said it was a brave decision of the government to go to the Court of Arbitration.
DND
