The Court of Arbitration holding hearings on the Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project is likely to give its verdict on the stay sought by Pakistan against the construction of the project by India within a month.
An official source said that Pakistan has submitted additional information and comments to the Court of Arbitration (CoA), on September 7 on the Kishanganga Hydro Electric Project against arguments given by India. The CoA held hearings at the Hague, Netherlands, from August 25 to 27, on the controversial project. The hearings were on a request for interim measures filed by Pakistan. At the end of the hearing, the CoA had asked for additional information and comments from both parties by September 07. The CoA will consider the parties submissions and the additional information after which it will reach a decision on interim measures. Pakistan had approached the international court against the Indian move to construct 330MW Kishanganga hydroelectric project by diverting the Neelum River, which, it said, was violation of the Indus treaty. Pakistan’s argument is that the project would result in decrease in water for irrigation purposes as well as lessen the generation capacity of hydropower projects down stream. The court of arbitration was constituted by the United Nations to take up Pakistan’s petition seeking stay against India’s construction of the Kishanganga hydroelectric project on the Jhelum River in violation of the 1960’s Indus Water Treaty. In May 2010, Pakistan had instituted arbitral proceedings against India under Article IX and Annexure G of the Indus Waters Treaty, an international agreement signed by India and Pakistan in 1960 that allocates the use of the Indus river system between the two countries. The seven-member Court of Arbitration is chaired by Judge Stephen M. Schwebel of United States. The Court of Arbitration visited the Neelum-Jhelum and Kishanganga hydroelectric projects and surrounding areas in June this year. In addition to the expert briefings and features observed during the site visit, the Court would consider the written and oral pleadings that have been submitted by Pakistan and India.