ISLAMABAD:

The Foreign Office on Monday hailed the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, which issued a “supplemental award” reaffirming its authority in the ongoing Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) dispute between Pakistan and India.

Islamabad urged New Delhi to immediately restore the full implementation of the treaty, which it has suspended since May this year.

“In a supplemental award announced on 27 June 2025, the Court of Arbitration hearing the Pakistan-India dispute over Kishanganga and Rattle hydroelectric projects has found that its competence remains intact, and that it has a continuing responsibility to advance these proceedings in a timely, efficient, and fair manner,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.

“The Court of Arbitration decided to announce this supplemental award in the wake of India’s illegal and unilateral announcement to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.”

According to the FO, the court’s verdict reinforced Islamabad’s stance that the 1960 treaty remains fully operational and cannot be set aside by India through unilateral declarations.

“The award vindicates Pakistan’s position that the Indus Waters Treaty remains valid and operational, and that India has no right to take unilateral action about it.”

Pakistan called on India to return to compliance with the treaty framework without delay.

The Foreign Office urged New Delhi to “immediately resume the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty, and fulfil its treaty obligations, wholly and faithfully”.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also welcomed the court’s determination. He noted that the ruling reinforced the legal validity of the IWT: “The court’s ruling confirmed that the IWT still remained fully valid.”

Pakistan had previously expressed appreciation for the PCA’s decision to issue what it called a “Supplemental Award of Competence,” underlining that India had no authority to place the longstanding treaty on hold.

The FO reiterated that the PCA’s assertion of jurisdiction stands undeterred by India’s opposition.

“Pakistan looks forward to receiving the court’s award on the first phase on the merits in due course following the hearing that was held in Peace Palace in The Hague in July 2024,” it noted.

The government stressed the urgency of reviving structured dialogue between the two nuclear Neighbours.

“The high priority, at this point, is that India and Pakistan find a way back to a meaningful dialogue, including on the application of the Indus Waters Treaty,” the statement said, referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s broader call for bilateral talks.

Pakistan reaffirmed its openness to discussing a comprehensive range of unresolved issues. “Pakistan was ready to engage in a meaningful dialogue with India on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, water, trade and terrorism.”

In contrast, India responded to the court’s findings with outright rejection. According to The Hindu, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) “categorically rejected” the supplemental award, reiterating that it does not recognize the authority of the PCA in this matter.