Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik on Monday informed the National Assembly that Pakistan was actively pursuing diplomatic and legal measures regarding the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty with India.
Responding to questions during Question Hour, the minister said the government had shared details of Pakistan’s treaties with different countries, except matters related to national security.
He informed the House that Pakistan and India have around 13 bilateral treaties and agreements, including visa-related arrangements and the Indus Waters Treaty.
Barrister Aqeel Malik said India was not fulfilling its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty, adding that Pakistan had consistently raised the matter at international forums following tensions that emerged after the Pahalgam incident and subsequent developments.
He said Pakistan had effectively presented its position before the international community, emphasizing that the treaty was an internationally recognized water-sharing agreement brokered by the World Bank.
The minister said the international community had acknowledged Pakistan’s stance against the use of water as a weapon and noted that a supplementary award under the Permanent Court of Arbitration had reaffirmed India’s obligations under the treaty.
He said unilateral suspension or withholding of treaty commitments was not permissible under international law.
Aqeel Malik said the Government of Pakistan was taking all possible diplomatic and legal steps, including raising the matter at the United Nations Security Council and other international forums through the Foreign Office.
He added that legal proceedings under the treaty framework were also being pursued, while the Foreign Office continued to brief the media and the international community on developments.
The minister said Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations and the Foreign Office had consistently highlighted India’s actions regarding water issues and regional tensions following the Pahalgam incident and subsequent developments.
He said the international community had largely supported Pakistan’s stance, recognizing that unilateral suspension or withholding of obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty was not permissible under international law.
Barrister Aqeel Malik said the treaty, brokered by the World Bank, remained a binding international agreement, and disputes arising under it were being addressed through the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which serves as the final dispute resolution forum under the accord.
He added that supplementary awards had already been issued by the court, reaffirming that India was bound to fulfill its treaty obligations in all circumstances.
The minister said India had at times withheld water flows and at other times released water without prior notice, contrary to the treaty’s established information-sharing mechanism between the Indus Commissioners of both countries.
He termed such actions “aggressive behaviour” and said Pakistan had strongly raised the matter globally.
Barrister Aqeel Malik further said a recent report by UN human rights experts had also endorsed Pakistan’s position, stressing that access to water was a fundamental right of populations in the region and could not be curtailed unilaterally.