Pak approaches World Bank against India's stand on Indus treaty

Islamabad: Ahead of India’s move of revoking the 56-year-old Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan on Tuesday approached the World Bank which had mediated the water-sharing deal.

A Geo News report claimed that Pakistan has also approached the International Court of Justice in the matter.

The Pakistani delegation consisted of Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali; Secretary, Ministry of Water & Power, Muhammad Younus Dagha; Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, Mirza Asif Baig and others.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani and World Bank's Executive Director for Pakistan Nasir Khosa were also present.

What is the treaty?

• The treaty was signed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Ayub Khan in September 1960.
• The treaty said that waters of six rivers - Beas, Ravi, Sutlej, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum shall be shared between both the nations.
• The treaty provides specific design criteria for any hydro-electric power plants to be built by India.

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What India said?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the provisions of the Indus water Treaty with Pakistan.
• It was decided that India will exploit to the maximum the water of Pakistan-controlled rivers, including Jhelum, as per the water-sharing pact.
• The decision was India’s strict stand against Pakistan in the aftermath of Uri terror attack in which 18 soldiers were martyred.