LHC seeks reply from govt for failing to invoke Indus Water Treaty

India cannot not build a dam on the River Indus but government of Pakistan has not taken notice of violations.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought a reply from the federal government on a petition challenging the government’s alleged negligence towards violation of the Indus Basin Water Treaty by India.

Kisan Board Pakistan had filed the petition through its counsel Mirza Abdul Khalique and submitted that the neighbouring country had started construction work on two dams on river Indus which was in violation of the treaty.

The counsel argued that under the treaty, India could not build a dam on the Indus river but the government of Pakistan has not taken notice of the violation so far.

Khalique pointed towards past violations of the treaty by India where it had constructed dams on the Jehlum and Chenab rivers, but the Pakistani government had remained unmoved.

He prayed that the government would approach International Court of Justice (ICJ) against India’s illegal acts, otherwise, agriculture lands in Pakistan would become infertile.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the initial arguments and issued notices to the federal government, ministry of water and power and to the ministry of foreign affairs. The judge directed the respondents to file their replies within three weeks.