Thursday, April 21 2005 09:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan, which has already approached the World Bank for arbitration in the Baglihar issue, yesterday (Apr 20, 2005) threatened to take the same route it talks with India on Kishenganga hydro-power project being built in Jammu and Kashmir failed.

A technical team from the Indus Water Commission of India would visit Islamabad on May 7 for talks to resolve differences on the Kishenganga project, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani told reporters in Islamabad.

The talks are being held under a specified clause of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, to resolve differences on construction of new projects on the three rivers allotted to Pakistan, he said.

"In case there is no agreement obviously this would yet another case that would go to World Bank," Jilani said.

On the Baglihar project, which was referred to the World Bank in January by Pakistan, he said the Bank sought certain clarification from both the Governments as per the requirements of the treaty.

"That exercise has already been conducted. We hope that a neutral expert will soon be appointed," he said.

Asked about the statement by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing willingness to hold parleys to resolve the differences, Jilani said the Baglihar issue figured in President Pervez Musharraf talks with the Indian leaders during his India visit.

"We have read the statement. Our position is clear. If India is sincere in solving this bilaterally, they must stop construction work and then make this offer to Pakistan and we will consider this option," he said.