Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan has once again pressed India to strictly abide by the Indus Water Treaty, making it clear that the country will not yield on what it describes as its vital water entitlements.
The renewed demand was voiced by Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during his weekly media briefing in Islamabad.
He informed journalists that earlier this month, Pakistan’s legal experts appeared before the Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
During the hearings, Pakistan asked the court to examine how the provisions of the Indus Water Treaty apply to certain technical aspects of run-of-the-river hydropower projects.
Andrabi noted that the court had extended an invitation to India to take part in the proceedings. However, despite being bound by the 1960 treaty to participate, India opted not to attend.
Responding to a question about India’s Sawalkote Hydropower Project on the Chenab River, the spokesperson said the issue has been formally raised with the Indus Water Commissioners for information exchange and consultations, in accordance with the treaty’s mechanism.
He emphasized that the Indus Water Treaty remains a binding international accord, consistent with the ruling of the Court of Arbitration.
The FO spokesperson underlined that unilateral measures or refusal to cooperate cannot alter the treaty’s legal standing. Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to settling disputes with India through peaceful dialogue and established international legal forums.
Shifting focus to incidents of mob violence in India, the spokesperson expressed serious concern over reports of Muslims being lynched.
He stated that at least 55 Muslims were killed in such attacks across India last year, describing the trend as deeply disturbing and reflective of targeted, hate-driven violence.
The FO spokesperson said that these figures are backed by documented evidence, including victims’ identities and updates on related legal cases.
Andrabi further claimed that credible reports indicate that several of these attacks occurred with either passive approval or direct involvement of local authorities and political actors, pointing to what he described as a troubling pattern of state-backed impunity.
He stressed that this alleged patronage is a matter warranting international scrutiny.
He urged the Indian government to ensure thorough, transparent, and impartial investigations into all incidents of lynching, bring both perpetrators and facilitators to justice, and address the ideological and institutional factors fostering intolerance and hostility toward religious minorities, especially Muslims and Christians.
Answering another question about the United Nations Security Council Monitoring Team’s recent report on militant groups in Afghanistan, Andrabi said the document strongly reinforces Pakistan’s position regarding the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
He noted that the report highlights the presence of TTP and Al-Qaeda elements in Afghanistan and indicates that the interim Afghan administration continues to provide a permissive environment for various militant organizations, including the TTP.
Andrabi added that the report supports Pakistan’s claim that the resurgence of the TTP is linked to developments following the 2021 takeover by Afghanistan’s interim authorities.
It also underscores that the group benefits from operational freedom and access to resources within Afghan territory, while identifying Pakistan as the primary target of TTP attacks. Andrabi said the findings validate Pakistan’s stance that it remains a victim of terrorism emanating from across the border.
Calling the UN report significant, FO the spokesperson said Pakistan would pursue the matter further with the UN Secretariat, relevant departments, Security Council members, and other key stakeholders in the international community.
In response to a separate query, Andrabi confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to the United States to participate in a meeting of the Board of Peace on Gaza.
The FO spokesperson said that Pakistan joined the initiative in good faith and is participating not independently but as part of a unified group of eight Islamic and Arab nations.