Pak to abide by expert's decision on Baglihar: PM

Ruling out further discussion with India to resolve the Baglihar dam controversy, Pakistan has said that it will abide by the decision of the neutral expert of the World Bank on the issue.

Close on the heels of the World Bank sending its recommendations to the two countries for appointment of a neutral expert from a three-member panel, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said: "Pakistan would stick to the Indus Basin Water Treaty, come what may. Once the neutral expert decides the issue, it would accept

it in true spirit."

Pakistan sought the World Bank's intervention on the construction of the Baglihar hydro-power project by India in Jammu and Kashmir after their talks to resolve the issue broke down in January.

The World Bank is a signatory to the 1960 Indus Water Treaty between the two countries.

Aziz said his government had received names of three water experts from the World Bank. "This is the best way (to
settle the issue) instead of engaging in discussion."