Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully in force.
He made the remarks while addressing the International Water Symposium in Vienna through a video message.
The event brought together diplomats, academics and international experts. Discussions focused on water security and cooperation.
PCA Confirms Treaty Obligations
Ishaq Dar referred to the unanimous award issued by the Court of Arbitration on August 31, 2026.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) said the treaty remains in force. It also confirmed that India remains bound by its treaty obligations.
The court rejected grounds cited for suspending or terminating the agreement. The award also addressed India’s decision to place the treaty in abeyance.
The arbitration concerns Pakistan and India’s obligations under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. It also covers certain Indian hydropower projects on the western rivers.
The court issued an order concerning interim measures at the Ratle hydroelectric plant. Certain construction activities were restricted pending further assessment.
Ishaq Dar Highlights Pakistan’s Water Security
During his address, Ishaq Dar stressed the importance of water security for Pakistan.
He said water security is closely connected with food security in the country.
The Indus River System supports the lives and livelihoods of more than 250 million people in Pakistan.
According to Dar, these waters support agriculture and food production. They also contribute to energy generation and economic activity.
He further highlighted the importance of water for ecological systems and daily life.
The deputy prime minister said water is essential for human survival and sustainable development.
He also discussed the challenges faced by countries sharing transboundary river systems.
Such countries remain permanently connected through their shared water resources, he said.
Call for Cooperation on Shared Waters
Dar stressed that shared rivers should be managed through cooperation and established legal frameworks.
He said water resources should not become tools of political pressure or confrontation.
He warned that attempts to deprive Pakistan of its allocated water could have wider consequences.
According to Dar, such actions could affect regional peace and security.
He also emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty and international law.
The deputy prime minister called for international support for treaty obligations and cooperation over shared water resources.
The PCA’s August 31 award remains an important development in the dispute over the treaty.
The court formally stated that the Indus Waters Treaty continues to operate. India remains bound by its obligations under the agreement.
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India, however, has rejected the arbitration ruling and continues to maintain its position on the treaty.
