Pakistan to Issue Diplomatic Notice to India Over Indus Waters Treaty Suspension
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has decided to formally serve a diplomatic notice to India in response to New Delhi’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), government sources confirmed on Friday. The move comes amid escalating tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Key Developments
1. Legal & Diplomatic Action Underway
-
Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Law Ministry, and Water Resources Ministry have held emergency consultations to finalize the notice.
-
The notice will demand India’s justification for suspending the 1960 treaty, which governs cross-border water sharing.
-
Pakistan may also raise the issue at international forums, framing India’s move as “water aggression.”
2. Pakistan’s Legal Stand
-
Islamabad asserts it has legal precedence under the treaty and hopes to pressure India into reversing its decision.
-
The federal cabinet will approve all actions before formal escalation.
3. Tit-for-Tat Measures
-
In response to India’s suspension of the IWT and closure of the Wagah-Attari border, Pakistan has:
-
Expelled Indian diplomats and restricted visas.
-
Threatened to suspend the 1972 Simla Agreement, which governs bilateral disputes.
-
-
Pakistan’s military has warned of a “firm and unforgettable response” to any Indian military provocation.
Background: Rising Tensions After Pahalgam Attack
-
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam killed 26 tourists, prompting India to blame Pakistan without evidence.
-
Islamabad denied involvement and offered a joint investigation, which India rejected.
-
New Delhi retaliated with economic and diplomatic measures, including the Indus Treaty suspension—a move experts warn could destabilize South Asia.
Why This Matters
-
Humanitarian Crisis Risk: The IWT governs 80% of Pakistan’s agricultural water supply. Disruption could devastate food security and livelihoods.
-
Legal Precedent: If India exits the treaty, it could undermine other transboundary water agreements globally.
-
Military Risks: Both nations remain on high alert, with Pakistan’s army vowing a “proportional response” to any aggression.
What’s Next?
-
Diplomatic Notice: Pakistan will serve the notice within days, escalating the dispute legally.
-
International Mediation: Islamabad may seek UN or World Bank intervention, as the IWT was brokered by the latter.
-
Regional Fallout: Further escalation could derail peace efforts and deepen economic instability in both countries.
Pakistan’s legal challenge signals a shift from rhetoric to formal dispute resolution, but with nationalist rhetoric soaring on both sides, the crisis remains volatile. The world watches whether diplomacy or brinkmanship will prevail in one of Earth’s most dangerous flashpoints.
“Water is life—but India is weaponizing it,” a Pakistani official warned. The coming weeks will test whether cooler heads can prevent a hotter conflict. 🌊⚖️
