China blocking funds for dam in Pak held kashmir, can help India win the case
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SRINAGAR: In a development that can help India win its case over 330-MW Kishanganga Power Project in remote Gurez, Pakistan is facing severe problems in managing the financial closure of its 990-MW Jhelum-Neelum power project in outskirts of *** capital, Muzaffarabad. Pakistan has taken the case for arbitration and a verdict of the International Court of Arbitration is expected anytime this year.
Reports appearing in the Pakistani newspapers suggest that Beijing has blocked a credit line of US $448 millions and the process is yet to complete even after three years. This is expected to slowdown the implementation of the project. In a case of dispute, the water sharing Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan upholds the riparian rights of the project that is operational.
Both the countries are setting up projects on either side of the LoC. Pakistan took the case to the World Bank challenging India's right to divert water discharge into another river. Islamabad said the diversion of water will force a crop change in a vast belt and make unviable its upcoming energy project. Both the sides are busy implementing their projects and the case is lying is being adjudicated at the Hague. The court visited both the sites on either side of the LoC in June 2011.
An interim order issued by the Court in December last did not prevent construction of tunnels, power houses and other allied works by NHPC. It, however, expressly sought halt in any permanent construction activity on the riverbed.
Chian's Exim Bank had pledged the credit line in 2009 when Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari visited Beijing.
As the capital is yet to flow, a senior officer has been flown to Beijing for an urgent follow up, the report added.
However, the bank did not entertain the request saying the capital will flow at the appropriate time. This has frustrated Islamabad.
Pakistan's project is being implemented by a Chinese consortium.
Islamabad, the report suggested, sees a strange dichotomy in Chinese decision making. While Beijing immediately released US $130 million for the Chilas Road in Sakrdu, it took three years for another pledge that its top leader committed.
The project, a separate entity has raised loan of six billion Pakistani rupees from WAPDA, Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority but the entity being cash strapped, it could hamper the deadlines of the project, the report quoting Pakistani officials said.
Now, the report said, Islamabad is working on alternatives. Any delay can play with the deadlines and if NHPC's Kishanganga is up and in operation, the International Court verdict will uphold India's rights over water use. Now Islamabad is seeking US $200 million from Islamic Development Fund, US 337 million from Saudi Fund, US $ 100 from Abu Dhabi Fund and another US $ 30 million from Kuwait Fund to manage its resource gap.
Interestingly, Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) which is implementing the NHPCs Kishangnaga project is not facing any resources problem. Of the Rs 3642 crores that the project will eventually require, almost Rs 1000 crores stand spent already. Pakistan facing resource crunch for its controversial Jhelum-Neelum power project - The Economic Times
Thank you china for ur initiative, India-china friendship surely have a chance