Online
\nWASHINGTON
\nPakistan has asked the World Bank to restart the process of arbitration in its water dispute with India despite New Delhi\u2019s objections, says media reports.
\nIn its communications with the bank, Pakistan argued that only arbitration can save the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which has successfully resolved water disputes between India and Pakistan for more than half a century.
\nThat\u2019s why Pakistan wants the bank to restart arbitration, even if India disagrees with the suggestion, as \u201cmuch precious time has already been lost\u201d. Pakistan first asked for arbitration on Aug 19, 2016.
\nLast month, the World Bank paused the arbitration process, asking India and Pakistan to decide by the end of this month how they want this dispute resolved. The bank said it was doing so to protect the treaty.
\nThe 1960 IWT gives Pakistan the right to demand the formation of the court of arbitration 60 days after submitting a formal request. That deadline expired on Oct 29, 2016.
\nThe current dispute concerns two hydroelectric plants \u2014 Kishanganga and Ratle \u2014 that India is building on the rivers whose waters were given to Pakistan under the IWT. The treaty recognises the World Bank as a guarantor and arbitrator and gives both India and Pakistan the right to seek arbitration if they fail to resolve a dispute bilaterally.
\nA World Bank representative, Ian H. Solomon, visited India to hold discussion on the dispute. Indian officials told Mr Solomon that Pakistan\u2019s request for setting up a court of arbitration was not acceptable to New Delhi. Instead, they urged the bank to appoint a neutral expert.
\nPakistan demands a court of arbitration because it believes the dispute involves both legal and technical issues and while a neutral expert can consider the technical aspects, only a court can deal with legal problems.
\nPakistan has also completed the formality of directly inviting India to appoint three umpires.
\nIndia\u2019s refusal gives Pakistan the right to demand the drawing of lots for the appointment of these umpires, as provided for in the IWT.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Online WASHINGTON Pakistan has asked the World Bank to restart the process of arbitration in its water dispute with India despite New Delhi\u2019s objections, says media reports. In its communications with the bank, Pakistan argued that only arbitration can save the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which has successfully resolved water disputes between India and Pakistan […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-9428","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n