In yet another embarrassment for Pakistan, World Bank has asked the country to stand down on Kishanganga project. It has said that Pakistan should not go to the International Court of Arbitration on Kishanganga dam and that they must accept India’s offer to appoint a neutral expert.

Top government sources have told Republic TV that India’s stand has been vindicated by the World Bank:

 “India does not see this as victory as we always want to resolve any differences but such deliberate impediments created by Pakistan won’t work,” the top sources added.

The top diplomatic sources further said that if Pakistan accepts World Bank’s proposal of a neutral expert, it would allow Pakistani experts to visit Kishanganga dam and inspect the design physically:

The World bank has picked the US Chief, Rector of Imperial College and WB President for appointing of the Chief of the court. The court would listen to the matter at the ICA.

World bank wrote the letter to Pakistan on June 1, Friday.

Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office had voiced concern over the inauguration of the hydroelectric project, saying inauguration without resolution of dispute between the two countries will tantamount to violation of the Indus Waters 1960 that regulates the use of waters in the shared rivers.

Islamabad had been raising objections over the design of the hydel project, saying it is not in line with the criteria laid down under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between the two countries. But, India says the project design was well within parameters of the treaty.