Permanent Court Of Arbitration Rules India’s Withdrawal From Indus Waters Treaty Invalid: Unanimous PCA Decision Says No Grounds Justify Suspension Or Termination Of IWT Ratle Hydropower Project In Occupied Kashmir Ordered Suspended FM Dar Proposes Three-Step Roadmap: Treaty In Letter And Spirit, Dispute Mechanisms, Technical Engagement And Data Sharing PM Shehbaz Tells SCO Bishkek Water Cannot Be Weaponised India Has Accepted Earlier PCA Decisions But Rejects This One
According to Dawn, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague has unanimously ruled that India’s unilateral withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty is invalid, a clear legal and moral victory for Pakistan from a respected international arbitration body. The PCA stated that none of the grounds India provided for abandoning the IWT “justify suspension or termination” of the treaty and ordered suspension of work on the Ratle hydropower project in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
India responded by saying it does not recognize the court and “categorically” rejects the verdict, a position Dawn’s editorial characterizes as reflecting India’s arrogance and disregard for global conventions when rulings go against it. India had unilaterally suspended the IWT last year following the Pahalgam episode, a move Pakistan has consistently argued is legally untenable.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at the SCO summit in Bishkek on Tuesday, said water cannot be weaponised and that “treaties governing our shared waters are solemn.” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar proposed a three-step process: full adherence to the IWT in letter and spirit; resolving all disputes through treaty mechanisms; and restoring technical engagement and data sharing between the two countries.
Dawn’s editorial notes the hypocrisy of India’s position. India has recognised earlier PCA decisions but rejects this one, while Prime Minister Modi lectures the international community about upholding the rules-based order. The editorial warns that India’s blockade of Pakistan’s water rights risks sowing the seeds of renewed conflict.
The court has ruled. India has refused to listen. Pakistan’s water rights cannot be a casualty of that refusal.
Check out our previous coverage of Pakistan-India relations on The Trusted Times.
