Pakistan’s Commissioner for the Indus Waters (PCIW), Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah, on Tuesday said India could not unilaterally terminate or suspend the treaty, describing it as a legally binding agreement that remained vital for regional peace, stability and Pakistan’s water security.
India not to terminate or suspend Indus Waters Treaty unilaterally: Commissioner
ISLAMABAD, Jun 30 (APP): Pakistan’s Commissioner for the Indus Waters (PCIW), Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah, on Tuesday said India could not unilaterally terminate or suspend the treaty, describing it as a legally binding agreement that remained vital for regional peace, stability and Pakistan’s water security.
Addressing the international seminar on Indus Waters treaty titled “IWT 2026: An Instrument of Peace and Regional Stability” in Islamabad, he said the treaty was a binding settlement between Pakistan and India and leaves no room for unilateral political decisions.
“The Indus Waters Treaty is an instrument designed to prevent conflict and keep water issues out of political disputes,” he said, adding that Article IX of the treaty provided a comprehensive mechanism for the resolution of disputes between the two countries.
Shah stressed that India was obligated under the treaty to share river flow data with Pakistan. He said New Delhi’s failure to provide the required information has raised serious concerns, as timely hydrological data was essential for downstream water management.
“When data stops, the downstream state flies blind,” he remarked, emphasizing that both countries must strictly adhere to the treaty’s provisions.
He maintained that the treaty’s operational framework must be preserved and its discipline upheld to ensure regional stability. He said the Indus Waters Treaty remained one of the world’s most successful trans-boundary water-sharing agreements and served as a global model for peaceful cooperation over shared water resources.
The Commissioner said Pakistan has no objection to lawful hydro-power projects that comply with the treaty, but asserted that any attempt by India to suspend the agreement would be contrary to international law.
Calling on both sides to honour their commitments, he said water should never be weaponized and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the full implementation of the treaty. He added that Pakistan would continue to safeguard its legitimate share of the Indus basin waters in accordance with the treaty’s provisions.
