Pakistan has said India cannot avoid its responsibilities under the Indus Waters Treaty by rejecting an international arbitration ruling concerning the long-running water dispute.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi made the remarks during his weekly media briefing on Wednesday. He said the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague had declared the Indus Waters Treaty fully operational on September 1.
Pakistan Rejects India’s Position
Andrabi said India’s rejection of the arbitration ruling could not release the country from its obligations under the treaty. He maintained that the agreement remains operational and that its provisions continue to carry legal and diplomatic significance.
The dispute over the treaty has intensified as relations between Pakistan and India remain strained. Pakistan has consistently emphasized the importance of protecting its water rights under the agreement, which governs the use of rivers shared by the two countries.
The Foreign Office’s latest statement comes after the international arbitration body issued its position regarding the treaty’s continued operation.
Pakistan Highlights Regional Diplomacy
During the briefing, Andrabi also discussed Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts amid tensions between the United States and Iran. He said Islamabad remained active in diplomatic initiatives aimed at addressing developments in the region.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has assumed the chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for a one-year term. The country will also host the SCO summit next year, giving Islamabad an opportunity to play a larger role in regional diplomacy.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan would continue engaging with international partners on issues affecting regional stability and its national interests.
Pakistan’s latest comments on the Indus Waters Treaty reaffirm its position that international rulings and treaty obligations must be respected despite disagreements between the two countries.
