Thaindian News

Islamabad, Jun.4 (ANI): Alleging that India has violated the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan has said that differences still remain over the Kishanganga and Nimoo Bazgo hydel power projects over the Indus river in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a regular press briefing here, Foreign Office (FO) spokesman Abdul Basit said that though Pakistan’s Indus Water commission chief Sayed Jamait Ali Shah had said that his country does not have any objections to the designs of the two hydel projects in Jammu and Kashmir namely the Uri-II and Chutak hydel power projects, differences over the Kishanganga and Nimoo Bazgo still remain to be sorted out.

“We know the remarks made by our Indus Water commissioner to the media. As we have not received the agreed minutes of the meeting so far, it may not be germane for the FO to say anything at this stage. But needless to say, there have been violations of the Indus Waters Treaty by India,” The Daily Times quoted Basit, as saying.

Basit said that Islamabad wants to settle all disputes regarding the river water sharing with India in accordance with the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, but asserted that it would never compromise on its ‘interests.’

“As a responsible country, we will like all our differences and disputes to be resolved through the dispute-settlement mechanism as contained in the 1960 Indus Water Treaty. Rest assured, Pakistan will never compromise on its national interests,” he said.

Responding to a question Basit noted that there is trust deficit between Islamabad and New Delhi, and that his government would approach the planned meeting between the Foreign Ministers of both countries on July 15 with a positive frame of mind to bridge that massive distrust.

“We are approaching the upcoming meeting between the two foreign ministers in Islamabad with a positive mindset. Pakistan will continue to work towards bridging the trust deficit, as well as freeing our bilateral relations from disputes and conflicts,” he added. (ANI)