Islamabad: Pakistan has welcomed the latest ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling on India to comply immediately and in good faith with the court’s decision.
In an official statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan appreciates the PCA’s supplemental ruling, which affirms the court’s jurisdiction and rejects India’s unilateral actions. The court has signaled its intent to proceed with the arbitration process in a fair and effective manner.
The FO spokesperson stated that the ruling vindicates Pakistan’s longstanding position that the Indus Waters Treaty remains valid and operational. The statement stressed that India does not possess any unilateral authority to suspend or alter the terms of the treaty.
Reiterating Pakistan’s legal stance, the FO added that its case concerning India’s Kishanganga and Ratle hydropower projects is strong and has been acknowledged by the PCA.
Under PCA rules, a supplemental decision addresses unresolved issues following an initial judgment. The June 27, 2025, ruling reaffirmed the court’s jurisdiction and obligation to continue proceedings in a timely and just manner, particularly in light of India’s announcement to unilaterally suspend the treaty.
In April, following an attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 26 dead, India unilaterally announced the suspension of the treaty, accusing Pakistan without evidence. Pakistan condemned the suspension as an "act of war" and argued that the IWT contains no clause permitting unilateral suspension. Citing violations of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Pakistan signaled its intent to take legal recourse.
The FO emphasized that the PCA’s recent decision reinforces Pakistan’s position that the treaty remains in force and cannot be suspended unilaterally by either party. It urged India to fully resume normal treaty operations and fulfill its obligations transparently and faithfully.
Previously, Pakistan had also welcomed the PCA’s initial ruling in the Indus Water case, reiterating that India has no legal basis to act unilaterally regarding the treaty.
The Pakistani government expressed hope that the PCA would issue a merit-based ruling in due course following the substantive hearings held at the Peace Palace in The Hague in July 2024.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a separate statement, reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to engage in meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, water sharing, trade, and terrorism.
Meanwhile, Indian daily The Hindu reported that India’s Ministry of External Affairs outright rejected the PCA’s supplemental decision, reiterating that it does not recognize the tribunal. India stated that it considers the establishment of the PCA tribunal itself a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty and that any decisions or awards issued by it are legally null and void.
