Islamabad welcomes water treaty ruling

Pakistan on Monday welcomed the Award rendered by the Court of Arbitration on the issues of General Interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Award was announced on 8 August, and published on the court's website on Monday. The ruling interprets the designed criteria for the new run-of-river hydropower projects, to be constructed by India on the Western Rivers – Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus.

"It is an endorsement of Pakistan's historical stance on the afore-stated issues," said the statement issued by the Foreign Office spokesperson, while referring to IWT and India's unilateral decision of holding the treaty in abeyance.

"The Award carries special significance in the wake of India's recent announcement to hold the IWT in abeyance, and its earlier decision to boycott the proceedings of the Court of Arbitration," the spokesperson satated.

"Pakistan remains committed to full implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty. It also expects India to immediately resume the normal functioning of the Treaty, and faithfully implement the Award announced by the Court of Arbitration," he added.