Pakistan and India have reiterated their commitment to implement the Indus Water Treaty in its true spirit, the Foreign Office said Friday.
Representatives of the two countries met during the 117th meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) held in Islamabad from March 1 to 3, 2022. The delegations discussed the entire gamut of water-related issues.
The meeting takes place alternatively in Pakistan and India annually under the relevant provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) 1960.
Pakistan’s foreign office is “hopeful” for the next session in India “soon”. This meeting was held after a lapse of two years due to the tensions between the two countries following the Pulwama attack in 2019 and the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
The Indian delegation comprising ten members was headed by the Indian Commissioner for Indus Waters Pradeep Kumar Saxena, who had reached Pakistan via the Wagah border in Lahore.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s delegation was led by Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, Syed Mohammed Mehar Ali Shah.
According to the Foreign Office spokesperson, Pakistan reiterated its observations on the Kiru Hydroelectric Project (HEP) located upstream river Chenab and India’s new run-of-the-river small HEPs on Western rivers. The hosts demanded that a visit to the site should be arranged in the early part of May.
“Pakistan also sought India’s response on Indian projects including Pakal Dul and Lower Kalnai,” the press release stated.INP
