Court of Arbitration ruling on Indus Waters Treaty a key win for Pakistan: Bugti

In a statement, the Balochistan Chief Minister said the ruling of the Court of Arbitration had made it clear that the Indus Waters Treaty remained in force and that India was bound by its legal obligations. He said the decision was an important legal development for the protection of Pakistan’s long-standing water rights.

Mir Sarfraz Bugti said that for Pakistan the Indus Waters Treaty was not merely a bilateral agreement but an important international legal arrangement linked to the protection of the country’s water resources and national interests. He said the unanimous ruling of the Court of Arbitration strengthened Pakistan’s position that honouring international agreements was the responsibility of every party.

He said the ruling had further strengthened the principles of honouring international agreements, the rule of international law and respect for agreements reached between states.

The Balochistan Chief Minister said Pakistan would continue to use constitutional, legal and diplomatic means to protect its water rights. Calling the ruling an endorsement of Pakistan’s long-standing position, he said the development had also highlighted the importance of resolving water-related matters in the region in accordance with international law and agreed treaties.

He said the Indus Waters Treaty retaining its legal status was an important development for Pakistan. He said it also made the importance of international legal principles in resolving future water disputes even clearer.