ISLAMABAD: The International Arbitration Tribunal has ruled that India must allow unrestricted use of water from the western rivers for Pakistan, according to the spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The tribunal’s decision regarding the general interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty was announced on August 8 and published on the tribunal’s website on Monday.
The spokesperson stated that the tribunal has ruled India must release water from the western rivers to Pakistan without any hindrance, while hydro-power projects must comply with the terms agreed upon in the treaty. The decision is final and binding on both parties.
Pakistan welcomed the tribunal’s verdict, describing it as a positive interpretation of India’s new run-of-river hydro-power projects. The ruling affirms Pakistan’s position on low-level outlets, gated spillways, turbine intakes, and freeboards. It also restricts India from storing excessive amounts of water.
The spokesperson emphasized the special significance of this ruling against the backdrop of India’s recent announcement to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty. The tribunal acknowledged Pakistan’s weaker position as a downstream country and endorsed Pakistan’s historical stance on the issue.
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to fully implement the treaty and expects India to comply with the tribunal’s decision.
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