ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan has opposed India’s request to halt the World Bank‘s action against the Kishanganga, and Ratle hydropower projects.
According to a report by the Indian media, after suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, India had requested the World Bank to halt the neutral expert’s action on the Kishanganga, and Ratle hydropower projects.
Both these controversial hydropower projects are being built on rivers originating from occupied Kashmir.
Kishanganga hydropower project
The Kishanganga hydropower project is being built on the Kishanganga River and Ratle on the Chenab River. Pakistan has objections to the design of these projects.
India has written to the World Bank neutral expert, Michel Lino, requesting him to halt any action in the context of the Ratle and Kishanganga hydropower disputes.
This step was taken after the Modi government’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.
French dam engineer, and president of the International Commission on Large Dams, Michel Lino, was appointed by the World Bank on October 13, 2022, as a neutral expert on these controversial projects under the Indus Waters Treaty.
World Bank expert Michel Lino has written a letter seeking Pakistan’s stance on India’s request, and Pakistan has opposed India’s request to halt the action.
Michel Lino has been tasked with listening to both India and Pakistan and determining whether the design of these projects complies with the treaty. Pakistan claims that India is violating the treaty.
