Date:01/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020160471200.htm

National

Pakistan wants to inspect Baglihar dam

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Wednesday that it should be allowed to inspect the Baglihar dam before India commissioned it.

Reacting to reports that India planned to do so in May 2008, Foreign Office spokesman Mohammed Sadiq said the Pakistan’s Indus Waters Treaty Commissioner had asked for an inspection of the dam before it was operationalised. He also referred to the 2007 report by the World Bank-appointed neutral experts who recommended changes to the dam structure.

“We have seen the news coverage that India is planning to operationalise the dam. The neutral experts agreed upon by both sides have issued a report and given a decision about the Baglihar dam and its specifications. We expect that the specifications will be followed in letter and spirit before the dam is operationalised,” he said.