Pakistan has lodged a formal complaint with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, accusing India of manipulating river flows in violation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Islamabad reports.

According to the PCA’s “32nd Supplemental Award on Competence,” Islamabad argues that since April 23, 2025—when India announced it would place the IWT into abeyance—New Delhi has sought to gain strategic leverage over the Western Rivers’ waters.

Pakistan alleges that India has attempted to exercise “hydro‐terror” tactics in three ways:

  1. Reservoir manipulation: Filling large upstream storage pools to reduce downstream irrigation water;

  2. Flood control: Sudden excessive releases of dammed water, risking floods;

  3. Sediment flushing: Rapid sediment discharge to undermine riverbanks, infrastructure, and communities downstream.

The award reaffirmed the PCA’s jurisdiction, stating that even if India pauses the treaty, it cannot prevent arbitration that was already underway at the time of suspension. The tribunal emphasized that the IWT does not allow unilateral suspension or delay of its dispute-resolution mechanisms. tribune.com.pk+15tribune.com.pk+15newindianexpress.com+15

Pakistan supported its case with hydrographs showing two significant flow disturbances in the Chenab River—early May and late May into June—as well as sediment spikes. Islamabad claims these result from Baglihar Dam operations, involving both allocated and likely dead storage, flushed without warning. tribune.com.pk+1en.wikipedia.org+1

Pakistan’s Commissioner for Indus Waters reached out to his Indian counterpart on May 27 seeking clarity. India, however, has reportedly remained silent. tribune.com.pk

According to Pakistani submissions, India’s broader “abeyance” policy not only reverses treaty commitments but also serves as a pretext to weaponize river control. Islamabad asserts that this conduct undermines the treaty’s principles. en.wikipedia.org+15tribune.com.pk+15theweek.in+15

The arbitration panel is chaired by Prof. Sean D. Murphy and includes four other international members. A final decision on Pakistan’s long-standing complaints—especially those concerning the designs of the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric dams—is anticipated later this summer. reuters.com+11tribune.com.pk+11tribune.com.pk+11