Pakistan has urged India to immediately restore the full implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) reaffirmed its authority in a recent ruling. The supplemental award, announced on June 27, 2025, declared that the treaty remains valid and cannot be unilaterally suspended by either side.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Foreign Office welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a clear victory for Pakistan’s long-standing stance. “This award vindicates Pakistan’s position that the Indus Waters Treaty is fully operational and must be honoured by both countries,” the statement read.
India had placed the treaty “in abeyance” in April 2025, following a deadly militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Blaming Pakistan for the assault, New Delhi suspended treaty cooperation, which later escalated into a brief but intense military conflict before a US-brokered ceasefire was enforced.
The PCA’s ruling now firmly dismisses India’s actions, stating that unilateral suspension holds no legal weight. The court also confirmed it will continue overseeing the ongoing arbitration between the two nations concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects on Indian rivers that flow into Pakistan.
Pakistan stressed the importance of returning to meaningful dialogue, especially regarding the treaty’s implementation. It also looked forward to the court’s final decision on the dispute’s merits, following hearings held in July 2024 at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
Signed in 1960 and facilitated by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty has been a vital water-sharing agreement between the two countries. With no clause allowing unilateral withdrawal, Pakistan now hopes this ruling will push both sides toward cooperative and peaceful resolution of their water-related issues.