The World Bank has made the appointments that it was required to make in the two distinct processes requested by India and Pakistan in relation to the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power facilities, in accordance with its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Whether the technical design elements of these two hydroelectric projects violate the Treaty is a point of contention between the two nations. India requested the appointment of a Neutral Expert to address similar issues about the two hydroelectric power projects, while Pakistan urged the World Bank to enable the establishment of a Court of Arbitration to address its reservations about the designs of the two projects.
Prof. Sean Murphy has been chosen to lead the Court of Arbitration, and Mr. Michel Lino has been chosen to serve as the Neutral Expert. They will fulfill their obligations in their respective capacities as subject-matter experts and apart from any other positions they might presently hold.
The World Bank continues to share the parties’ worries that running the two processes simultaneously presents both practical and legal difficulties. The World Bank is satisfied that the highly competent experts chosen to serve as Neutral Experts and as members of the Court of Arbitration will exercise the jurisdictional authority granted to them by the Treaty in a fair and careful manner.
