PM Shehbaz hails arbitration court ruling on Indus waters treaty

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his satisfaction with the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s Supplemental Award concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a major affirmation of Pakistan’s stance.

In an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, he highlighted that the ruling reinforced that India cannot suspend the agreement unilaterally, which outlines the water-sharing arrangement between the two nations.

“We are prioritizing the management of our water resources, as water is vital for the people of Pakistan,” the Prime Minister remarked.

He also commended Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Attorney General Mansoor Awan for their invaluable legal efforts in pursuing the case.

The court's Supplemental Award was the result of proceedings initiated by Pakistan against India.

The ruling made it clear that the Indus Waters Treaty does not permit either country to unilaterally suspend or delay any dispute resolution process.

The court’s order stated:
"The Treaty’s text, when viewed in the context of its objective and purpose, does not allow either party to unilaterally put on hold or suspend an ongoing dispute settlement process."

Further clarifying the matter, the ruling emphasized:
"The Treaty does not permit unilateral 'suspension' or 'abeyance' of the agreement. Instead, it ensures the continued enforcement of the Treaty until both India and Pakistan mutually agree to terminate it."

The language used in the ruling, the court noted, definitively reflects the intention of the Treaty’s drafters to prevent any unilateral actions that would change the rights, duties, and dispute resolution mechanisms set by the Treaty.

Pakistan welcomed the Supplemental Award, praising the court’s authority and acknowledging the competence of the neutral expert in the matter, despite India’s unilateral actions.

The decision, now available on the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s website, is a significant development in the ongoing water dispute between India and Pakistan.