In a significant legal and diplomatic achievement, Pakistan has secured amajor victory in its long-standing water dispute with India under the IndusWaters Treaty. The Court of Arbitration has ruled in favor of Pakistan,rejecting India’s jurisdictional objections and affirming the Court’sauthority to proceed alongside a Neutral Expert.
The ruling reinforces Pakistan’s stance that the dispute resolutionmechanisms outlined in the Indus Waters Treaty remain valid and binding,regardless of India’s attempts to bypass or delegitimize them. Byconfirming that both the Neutral Expert and the Court of Arbitration canfunction concurrently, the decision strengthens Pakistan’s legal positionand safeguards its water rights under the 1960 treaty.
Legal experts have termed the verdict as a “landmark affirmation” ofinternational law and treaty obligations. It demonstrates that unilateralactions or non-participation cannot exempt a country from its commitmentsunder a binding international agreement.
Diplomatic observers view this as a major boost for Pakistan’s credibilityon the global stage, particularly in its ongoing efforts to ensure fair andlawful implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
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The Court’s decision now paves the way for substantive proceedings on thetechnical and legal issues concerning India’s controversial hydropowerprojects, which Pakistan claims could affect its share of the Indus Basinwaters.
This ruling not only strengthens Pakistan’s position in the ongoing waterdispute but also underscores the enduring relevance and authority of theIndus Waters Treaty — a cornerstone of regional peace and cooperation forover six decades.