Pakistan urges India to cooperate with World Bank on water

Pakistan Tuesday hoped that India would cooperate with the World Bank in appointment of a neutral expert for resolving the dispute on the Baglihar dam being built by India in Kashmir, the official Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

Talking to a visiting Indian non-governmental organization (NGO)delegation, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said he hoped India in pursuance of the Indus Water Treaty would cooperate with the World Bank for resolution of the issue.

Pakistan had approached the World Bank after the two sides failed to end the deadlock over the construction of a water reservoir on river Chenab in the Indian-held Kashmir.

India began work on the Baglihar dam in late 1990s and Pakistanalleged that New Delhi had violated the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty brokered by the World Bank. Pakistan demanded that the bank must not delay in the appointment of a neutral expert on the dispute.

India is all set to complete the Baglihar dam by the end of thecurrent month, causing reduction of about 8000 cusecs of water perday to Pakistan in river Chenab, reports say.

Kasuri also affirmed Pakistan's commitment to the ongoing Composite Dialogue process between the two countries and reiterated Pakistan's resolve to finding a durable peace with India through the resolution of all outstanding issues including the Jammu Kashmir dispute, the report of APP said.

Pakistan has already welcomed India's decision regarding the gas pipeline projects, Kasuri said.

There should be efforts from the two sides to address all issues with sincerity, flexibility and courage, he said.