ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Senate strongly reaffirmed on Friday that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a binding, internationally recognized agreement that cannot be unilaterally revoked or altered, dismissing India’s recent actions as a violation of both international law and treaty obligations.
Speaking during a Senate debate, Leader of the Opposition Syed Shibli Faraz declared that India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty was “unlawful and provocative,” warning that the move could destabilize regional peace.
He also accused New Delhi of orchestrating the recent Pahalgam incident—a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir—as a false flag operation aimed at casting the treaty into doubt.
“The Indus Waters Treaty is a settled matter. Pakistan has never sought its amendment, and we will not allow any unilateral alteration to its terms,” Faraz said, urging the Pakistani government to adopt a vigilant and calculated approach to India’s provocations. “India is clearly seeking to harm Pakistan’s interests through subversive legal and strategic maneuvers,” he added.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the distribution of the Indus River system between Pakistan and India. It is considered one of the most successful water-sharing agreements in the world and has survived multiple conflicts between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Senator Syed Ali Zafar echoed Faraz’s concerns, stating that the treaty is “irrevocable” under international law. Quoting provisions of the United Nations Charter, Zafar asserted that Pakistan is legally empowered to defend its water rights, including through “forceful dismantling of any illegal structures built by India to divert or obstruct river flows guaranteed to Pakistan.”
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry commended Pakistan’s swift diplomatic and strategic response to what he described as India’s “aggression,” highlighting the country’s unified stance on the issue. “The entire nation is on the same page. We must preserve this spirit of national solidarity as we defend our core interests,” he said.
The Senate session also saw participation from other lawmakers, including Mohammad Humayun Mohmand and Kamran Murtaza, who reinforced the importance of maintaining the sanctity of the treaty and urged international institutions to take notice of India’s violations.
In addition to the debate on the treaty, the upper house of Parliament introduced several legislative proposals, including key amendments to education, citizenship, civil service, and naval regulations.
Bills presented included “The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” “The Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” and “The Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill, 2025.” These were referred to the relevant standing committees for review within 45 days.
The Senate also passed “The Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2025” during the session.
The developments come amid heightened tensions following recent cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and India, further underlining the urgency of preserving institutional mechanisms like the Indus Waters Treaty to avert broader regional instability.
