Pak to seek inspection of Baglihar project

A day after a World Bank-appointed neutral expert cleared the multi-crore Baglihar power project in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan said it would seek permission from India to monitor the construction of the project.

Water Secretary Ashfaq Mahmood said Pakistani officials would seek access from the Indus Water Commission in India to monitor the construction of the project on the river Chenab to ensure that parameters set by the neutral arbitrator were being adhered to.

Mahmood had held several rounds of talks with Indian officials before Islamabad opted to approach the World Bank for arbitration under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

Meanwhile, terming the World Bank Baglihar report as a "win-win" situation for both India and Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said the first phase of the 450-Mw power project would be completed by December-end after reducing the dam height.