Shehbaz Welcomes PCA’s Supplemental Award on Indus Waters Treaty

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has welcomed the supplemental award issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, calling it a significant legal vindication of Pakistan’s position in the ongoing Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) dispute with India. The award reaffirmed the Court’s jurisdiction, rejecting India’s claims that its unilateral suspension of the treaty rendered the arbitration process invalid.

In a statement, the Prime Minister hailed the decision as a legal victory for Pakistan, stating that India cannot unilaterally suspend or withdraw from the IWT, which has governed water-sharing arrangements between the two countries since 1960. He stressed that the treaty remains binding and in force unless both parties mutually agree to modify or terminate it, as clearly stipulated under Article XII(4) of the agreement.

Shehbaz Sharif praised the efforts of the Pakistani legal team, particularly Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Awan, for their effective handling of the case. He reiterated that water is the lifeline of the nation and that Pakistan remains committed to protecting its water resources and rights under international law.

The PCA’s award also confirmed that the roles of both the Court of Arbitration and the Neutral Expert can continue in parallel, countering India’s objections to the dual proceedings. The tribunal held that once arbitration has been initiated, its authority is not dependent on India’s consent, and the process must follow the legal framework outlined in the treaty.

Following the tribunal’s July 2024 hearings in The Hague, Pakistan now awaits a ruling on the merits of its case concerning Indian hydropower projects, including Kishenganga and Ratle, which Islamabad argues violate treaty provisions.

The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with India on all unresolved issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, water, trade, and counterterrorism. However, he stressed that such dialogue must be grounded in mutual respect and international legal obligations.

India, for its part, has rejected the PCA’s supplemental award, calling the court “illegally constituted” and insisting that it remains unbound by its decisions. New Delhi maintains that its suspension of the treaty was a sovereign act in the context of security concerns following the April attack in Pahalgam.

Despite India’s position, the PCA’s ruling is widely seen as a reaffirmation of the enduring nature of international treaties and the authority of global arbitration mechanisms. For Pakistan, the decision marks a milestone in its legal efforts to safeguard its share of the Indus Basin waters and uphold the sanctity of the Indus Waters Treaty.