Pak invites India for talks over water row

Pakistan has invited India for a meeting to discuss the appointment of neutral experts for the controversial Kishanganga hydel power project.

The meeting is scheduled to take place on July 13 in Islamabad, The Daily Times reports.

Both India and Pakistan have agreed on international arbitration over the controversial project in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, if the two countries fail to reach a consensus during the talks, the experts will be decided by a draw of lots by the World Bank, the United Nations and other international institutions.

In May, Pakistan had sought international arbitration over the issue after both the neighbouring nations failed to come out with a resolution bilaterally.

Islamabad has accused New Delhi of breaching the provisions of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.

Pakistan has been blaming India for an unsporting attitude during bilateral talks, which were initiated to resolve the impending water dispute.

Pakistan has been opposing the construction of the hydropower project on Ganga river, which is called Neelum upon entering Pakistan. Pakistan has said that the diversion of the waters of the Neelum is not allowed under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, and it will face a 27 per cent water deficit once the project gets completed.

Pakistan has said that India has almost completed a 22-kilometre long tunnel to divert Kishanganga waters to Wullar Lake in Jammu and Kashmir.