ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has welcomed a landmark supplemental award by the Court of Arbitration under the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), terming it a legal victory that reinforces Pakistan’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty and condemns India’s unilateral suspension attempts as invalid.
The decision, released by the PCA and published on its official platform, affirms the court’s jurisdiction to continue arbitration proceedings, despite India’s efforts to halt them on the grounds of suspending treaty obligations unilaterally.
The Government of Pakistan, in an official statement issued Friday, hailed the ruling as a positive development that underlines the binding nature of the treaty and invalidates any unilateral action by either party.
Court Rejects India’s Unilateral Suspension
The PCA emphasized that the treaty remains binding and cannot be suspended by one party alone.
Key points from the supplemental award include:
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The arbitration process will proceed regardless of unilateral objections.
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The Indus Waters Treaty contains no clause allowing one-sided suspension.
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Any suspension or amendment must be mutually agreed upon by both India and Pakistan.
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India’s move to block arbitration is inconsistent with treaty obligations and international law.
The ruling confirms the court’s responsibility to ensure impartial and continued dispute resolution, further asserting that India’s legal arguments to halt the case hold no merit.
Pakistan Calls for Dialogue and Diplomacy
Pakistan reaffirmed its trust in international arbitration mechanisms and expressed hope for a just outcome in the main hearing, held in July 2024 at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
The government urged India to resume dialogue, emphasizing that diplomacy is essential for resolving water disputes and broader regional tensions.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated on June 24, 2025, that Pakistan remains committed to dialogue with India on all unresolved issues — including Kashmir, water sharing, trade, and regional security.
The original dispute stems from Pakistan’s 2016 objections to India’s construction of water storage projects on western rivers, which Pakistan says violate treaty provisions. India responded by appointing a neutral expert, but later attempted to stall arbitration — a move now firmly rejected by the court.
