The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has ruled out any possibility of Pak-India joint hydropower project in occupied Kashmir. Wapda chairman Tariq Hameed told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that Wapda has not so far received any proposal in black and white from any side. He was of the view that chances of materialisation of this proposal are not bright. It may be mentioned that occupied Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Saeed has given this proposal to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The chairman said India, despite objections raised by Pakistan, has already started constructing hydropower projects at Neelum-Jhelum river, besides Baglihar dam on River Chenab.
He said both the countries lack mutual understanding on water issues, which is essential for success of such proposals.
Experts of the power sector are of the view that India wants to remove concerns of Pakistan on projects initiated by it. They said India has no justification on Baglihar as well as Kishanganga dams. This situation has reduced chances of any fresh agreement between the two countries regarding starting joint hydropower project in occupied Kashmir. Those Kashmiri people, who are supporting the option of independent Kashmir, will not support this idea, they added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005

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