Islamabad: Pakistan would seek permission from India to monitor the construction of theBaglihar power project in Jammu and Kashmir, a day after a World Bank- appointed neutralexpert cleared the multi-crore scheme.

Water Secretary Ashfaq Mahmood said Pakistani officials would seek access fromthe Indus Water Commission in Indiato monitor the construction of the project on river Chenabto ensure that parameters set by the neutral arbitrator were being adhered to.

Mahmood had held several rounds of talks with Indian officials before Islamabad opted toapproach the World Bank for arbitration under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

World Bank expert Raymond Lafitte yesterday cleared the project with minoralterations, including reduction of dam height by 1.5 mts, one of theobjections raised by Islamabad.

"We have been doing it earlier. Our teams will go and make sure that theneutral expert's determination is being complied with," Mahmood told theGeo TV here.

Mahmood said he was "surprised" to see India's"positive reaction" after Lafitte submitted his report in Bern, Switzerland.

"India has been askedto reduce the height of the project from 4.5 meters to three meters and if Indiaconsiders this a success, it is indeed surprising," he said.

While Lafitte supported India's stand on the spillway gates of the project,which Pakistan firmly objected to, he has termed results of model testsconducted by India as "unreal and illusory," Mahmood said.