Saturday, January 15 2005 23:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Pakistan today (Jan 15, 2005) said it had taken no decision yet on approaching the World Bank for appointment of neutral expert to resolve the Baglihar hydro-power project, a week after it threatened such a step in the wake of failure of Secretary-level talks with India on the issue.

"The issue is being examined by the Government of Pakistan. Whenever there is a decision, it will be announced," Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Aziz Ahmad Khan said.

On the sidelines of 12th Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial Lecture in New Delhi Khan was asked by reporters whether Islamabad had decided to approach the World Bank on Baglihar project being constructed on river Chenab in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, media reports in Pakistan had said that Islamabad had taken a decision to move the World Bank.

Pakistan had threatened the step on January 7 after its three-day Water Secretary-level talks with India failed to resolve the matter, with Islamabad insisting that New Delhi could not address its concerns.

Pakistan's Secretary for Water and Power Ashfaq Mehmood claimed that Islamabad had done "everything" and shown "flexibility" to resolve the issue bilaterally.

"It was the final attempt but the situation is the same. Matters could not be resolved and our issues were not addressed," he said.

Pakistan has alleged that construction of high dam on the river violated the 1960 Indus Water treaty which governs exclusive right of Pakistan on Chenab river. India has denied the allegation and asserted that the matter could be resolved bilaterally.