Pakistan contests India’s ‘hydro terrorism’ at arbitration tribunal.
Pakistan has officially presented comprehensive grievances to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), alleging that India is weaponising the waters of the Western Rivers, which constitutes a significant violation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), according to Islamabad.
The 32 Supplemental Award regarding the jurisdiction of the Court of Arbitration, which is presently reviewing Pakistan’s grievance under the IWT, indicates that Islamabad has underscored concerning changes in Indian policy since April 23, 2025.
“Pakistan asserts that ‘India’s policy of “abeyance” since 23 April 2025, along with public rhetoric, has exacerbated threats and potentially actualised its new strategy: to utilise dams to manipulate or withhold downstream releases to Pakistan’,” the award articulates.
Pakistan has delineated three principal methods through which India could allegedly manipulate the flow of the Western Rivers, purportedly contravening the treaty, in its explanation of “weaponisation.”
Pakistan asserts that ‘weaponisation’ in this context pertains to three methods by which India can manipulate the waters of the Western Rivers: ‘(a) the cessation of water supply utilised for downstream irrigation through the accumulation of substantial pondage pools and other reservoirs; (b) the activation of dam gates to discharge stored water in excessive quantities, resulting in downstream flooding; and (c) the swift, large-scale release of sediment affecting rivers, land, infrastructure, and populations residing downstream,’ the award observes.
On June 27, the international court made a key determination on its authority to hear Pakistan’s case.
The Court unanimously determined: “India’s assertion of holding the Treaty in ‘abeyance’, regardless of its characterisation under international law, does not diminish the competence of the Court of Arbitration.”
The ruling further elaborates, recognising Pakistan’s assertion that India’s “abeyance” position is not merely rhetorical but actively contravenes treaty obligations.
“The international tribunal, in its ruling, has emphasised Pakistan’s reaction to India’s policy of maintaining the Treaty in ‘abeyance’.”
The court cites Pakistan’s submission: “The tribunal’s order indicates that, according to Pakistan, the ‘rhetoric of India’s officials and the heightened agitation of the Indian media since 23 April demonstrate that weaponization scenarios are far from hypothetical’.”
Data monitored by Pakistani authorities constitutes a component of Islamabad’s evidence presented to the court.
