In response to India’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is set to formally serve a diplomatic notice challenging what it describes as “unilateral and unjustified” actions by New Delhi. Officials confirmed on Friday that consultations are underway among Pakistan’s ministries of Water Resources, Law, and Foreign Affairs to finalize the legal framework for the notice, which is expected to be dispatched shortly.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 under World Bank mediation, has long been a symbol of regional water cooperation despite historical tensions. Islamabad argues that India’s withdrawal from treaty obligations undermines decades of conflict resolution and sets a dangerous precedent. Pakistani officials are also weighing a formal protest at multilateral forums to internationalize the dispute.
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A government-backed think tank, consisting of water, legal, and diplomatic experts, has been formed to assess the full implications of India’s move. Its recommendations will guide Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s next steps, which could include seeking World Bank intervention to uphold the treaty’s provisions.
Officials maintain Pakistan’s compliance with the treaty has been consistent and legally sound, positioning the country to assert both moral and legal justification for its stance. For now, the Foreign Office has declined public comment, citing the sensitivity of the matter as global attention focuses on this pivotal water dispute.
