Pakistan Hails Court of Arbitration Ruling Supporting Its Position on Indus Waters Treaty

Islamabad – UNS: Pakistan has welcomed a Supplemental Award issued by the Court of Arbitration at the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, calling it a major legal victory under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The ruling relates to disputes over the design of India’s Ratle and Kishenganga hydroelectric projects and supports Pakistan’s stance on strict limits for water storage, known as pondage, on western rivers covered under the treaty.
The decision comes amid growing tensions after India announced in April 2025 that it was placing the treaty “in abeyance” following the Pahalgam attack — a move Pakistan argues is not allowed under the agreement.
According to the ruling, any water storage capacity for run-of-river hydroelectric projects must be realistic, evidence-based, and fully justified through hydrological data, operational needs, and treaty requirements. The court also stressed that India must provide Pakistan with sufficient technical information to verify compliance with treaty provisions.
A spokesperson for the Government of Pakistan described the award as a strategic reinforcement of Pakistan’s legal position, stating that storage limits cannot be exaggerated through artificial assumptions and must remain within treaty boundaries.
The court further noted that minimum water flow obligations must also be considered when calculating power generation requirements for hydroelectric projects.
Pakistan said it would present these legal interpretations during ongoing Neutral Expert proceedings under the treaty framework and reaffirmed its commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful and lawful means.
Legal experts and analysts termed the award a diplomatic and legal success for Pakistan, saying the ruling strengthens Islamabad’s position while increasing international scrutiny of India’s handling of treaty obligations.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, has remained one of the longest-standing water-sharing agreements between the two neighboring countries.