In a striking display of contradictions, Pakistan has simultaneously issued nuclear war threats to India while pleading for the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). On one side, army chief General Asim Munir and political leaders like Bilawal Bhutto have warned of war and brandished nuclear rhetoric; on the other, Islamabad has publicly urged New Delhi to resume full implementation of the treaty.
India suspended the IWT in May 2025 following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, in which 26 tourists were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. New Delhi has long maintained that “terrorism and talks cannot go hand in hand,” and observers now say the stance should extend to “threats and treaties cannot go hand in hand.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Office, in a recent post on X, appealed: “We urge India to immediately resume the normal functioning of the Indus Waters Treaty, and fulfil its treaty obligations, wholly and faithfully.” The statement also reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to the agreement, hailing the August 8 ruling by the Court of Arbitration on design parameters for new Indian run-of-river hydropower projects on the Western Rivers — the Chenab, Jhelum, and Indus.
Quoting the verdict, Pakistan said the court held that India must ensure waters flow for Pakistan’s unrestricted use, with any exceptions for hydropower strictly adhering to treaty provisions rather than Indian interpretations of “best practices.”
The Indus Waters Treaty: An Overview
The Indus river system comprises the main Indus and its tributaries. The eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — flow into India, while the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — are vital to Pakistan’s agriculture and economy. At the time of Independence, the partition line split the basin, making India the upper riparian and Pakistan the lower riparian. This left Pakistan vulnerable, as key irrigation works fell under Indian control.
To resolve the dispute, the World Bank mediated an agreement, leading to the signing of the Indus Waters Treaty in Karachi on September 19, 1960, by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan, and World Bank official W.A.B. Illif. The treaty took effect on April 1, 1960.
Under the agreement:
· India has exclusive rights over the eastern rivers, with an average annual flow of around 33 million acre-feet (MAF).
· Pakistan receives most of the waters from the western rivers, averaging 135 MAF annually, with India permitted limited, specific uses.
The treaty established the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) with one commissioner from each country to share data, inspect works, resolve disputes, and promote cooperation. Disputes unresolved at the PIC level can be referred to a neutral expert or international arbitration.
The treaty remains in force until both sides agree to replace it with a new, ratified accord — a prospect that now appears more uncertain amid rising hostility and mutual distrust.
