Tuesday, April 19 2005 08:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf yesterday (Apr 18, 2005) said that he has left the decision on the dispute with India on Baglihar hydro- power project in Jammu and Kashmir to the World Bank.

Interacting with Pakistani media in New Delhi before emplaning for Manila, he said the issue was discussed with Singh and he had conveyed Pakistan's point of view.

Noting that he had studied in detail the project, Musharraf said he questioned the Indian intention of constructing gates beneath the pondage in the project.

He claimed gates beneath the pondage were not necessary to produce the electricity.

He said according to the Indus Waters Treaty, the pondage could be calculated either on the basis of design or on operational basis and India has opted for the second one.

It has to be on the basis of design but they were calculating on the basis of operational basis "this is the dispute", he said.

He alleged the gates spoke of "ill intentions".

Pakistan alleges that India was building gated structures to flood the Pakistan side in times war and hostilities, a charge India denies.