Islamabad: Pakistan says India's rejection of the award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) raises concerns, which extend well beyond the present dispute. Replying to a question at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad today, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tahir Andrabi said India cannot treat international law as a matter of convenience, invoking it when useful and discarding it when inconvenient.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Spokesperson emphasized that India cannot disregard binding treaty obligations and the legal processes to which it freely subscribed, because their outcomes are not to its liking. Such an approach by India undermines the sanctity of treaties, erodes confidence in established international dispute settlement mechanisms, and creates adverse precedence for other regions, where shared resources are governed through agreed legal frameworks.
Tahir Andrabi highlighted that in a region as sensitive as South Asia, unilateralism in the management of cross-boundary water is particularly concerning and inimical to sustainable peace and stability. He urged India to return to full compliance within the treaty, respect institutional and dispute settlement mechanisms of the treaty, and engage Pakistan constructively within the framework that both countries solemnly accepted.
The Foreign Office Spokesperson further stated that the statement of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, rejecting the award, cannot extinguish or otherwise alter New Delhi's obligations under the Indus Water Treaty or its obligations to fulfill the award of the Court of Arbitration. He asserted that India cannot abuse the decision of the Court and that Pakistan will take all possible measures to ensure that the decision of the Court is implemented fully.
Addressing another question, Tahir Andrabi reiterated that the Indus Water Treaty is quite clear in its text and spirit. He clarified that Pakistan is committed to implementing the treaty in letter and spirit in accordance with its language and provisions. Pakistan will continue to urge India to reciprocate with the same approach whereby the Treaty is upheld in letter and spirit and in its full legal documented provisions.
In response to a query regarding recent geopolitical tensions, the Spokesperson mentioned that despite the recent escalation between the US and Iran, Pakistan remains engaged and is not discouraged. He advised that this escalation should not be termed as a failure of the mediatory process. Tahir Andrabi affirmed that Pakistan has remained earnestly engaged with the peace process and its efforts for peace will continue.