However Business Recorder has learnt that the Indian delegation insisted during the meeting that the engineering design of Pakal Dul Dam, being built on a Chenab River''s tributary, has been prepared in line with the provisions of Indus Waters Treaty and there is no need to amend it as per Pakistan demand.
India stubbornly claimed that there is no substance in the case of Pakistan against the Pakal Dul Dam. As per treaty, we can build storage on Western Rivers. India further asserted that same is with the claim of Pakistan over Lower Kalnai Hydropower Project. Therefore, work on both the water sector projects would continue.
Veteran water experts say that Pakistan delegation led by ill - prepared Mehar Ali Shah, Indus Water Commission miserably failed to convince the Indian side that both the proposed reservoirs of Pakal Dul Dam and height of freeboard were against the parameters set under the Indus Waters Treaty.
They said that Pakistan has mainly taken up various objections on India''s under construction projects on Chenab River. One of the most important projects from Pakistan point of view has been Pakal Dul Dam being built on River Chenab, which is also under discussion at Indus Waters Commission level for last several years.
The Pakal Dul Dam assumes immense importance as far as Pakistan''s point of view is concerned
In addition to Pakal Dul Dam, Pakistan also raised objection to the construction of Lower Kalnai Hydropower projects being constructed by India in violation of Indus Waters Treaty.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan has also demanded to visit six sites for inspection during the talks but India refused to allow Pakistani experts to visit these projects sites.
Ironically, Mehar Ali Shah did not face media after conclusion of the meeting on Thursday despite promising to do so. A source familiar with the negotiation process conceded that Shah had nothing to say in front of media as talk with Indian was a futile exercise.
Keeping in view no headway in the talks, it is likely that Pakistan would be left with no option but to explore third party option for resolving pending issues.