The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has ruled in favour of Pakistan regarding the long-standing dispute under the Indus Waters Treaty, firmly rejecting India’s attempt to unilaterally halt arbitration proceedings.
The verdict strengthens Pakistan’s consistent stance that neither party can suspend or terminate the treaty on its own. According to the court, India lacks any legal grounds under the treaty or broader international law to disrupt or abandon arbitration without mutual consent.
India’s bid to stop arbitration rejected
India had sought to suspend arbitration related to its construction of hydroelectric projects on the western rivers—a move Pakistan has objected to since 2016, calling it a breach of the treaty.
However, the tribunal dismissed India’s request, clarifying that the treaty does not allow for unilateral suspension and that arbitration must proceed regardless of one party’s refusal to participate.
“The arbitration will move forward, and any effort to weaken the mediator’s authority directly violates the treaty’s binding dispute resolution clause,” the judgment stated.
Pakistan hails the verdict
Pakistan welcomed the ruling as a significant diplomatic win and a validation of its legal arguments. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the outcome as proof of Pakistan’s commitment to international law and peaceful conflict resolution.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to engage in constructive dialogue with India on key matters, including water disputes, Kashmir, trade, and regional security. “Pakistan remains fully committed to honouring the Indus Waters Treaty,” he emphasized.
Criticism of India’s stance
The Pakistani government condemned India’s attempt to bypass arbitration as an act of “water aggression” meant to inflame tensions and disregard established legal channels.
“The international community must pay attention to India’s repeated violations of global agreements,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said.
The PCA’s decision ensures that the treaty’s dispute resolution process remains active, allowing continued examination of India’s contested reservoir projects on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the agreement.
