Pakistan to table Indus Water Treaty dispute before mediators tomorrow

Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Watto stated that Pakistan and India will discuss the Indus Water Treaty on Monday, as India continues to withhold water from the Indus River, violating the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.

Mia Watto confirmed the meeting on IWT tomorrow, stating that discussions will cover multiple matters, including the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement, and the suspension of visas and travel arrangements between the two nations.

In an official statement, Mian Watto emphasised that India's unilateral actions regarding the treaty constitute a breach of international law. 

The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is a clear violation of the Geneva Convention, he said.

Watto also strongly condemned the recent Indian attack on Pakistan’s Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Plant, calling it a cowardly act that caused significant damage to the country's infrastructure. 

The attack, which took place on May 7, reportedly targeted critical components of the plant, including the intake gate and reinforced concrete structures at desanders 1 and 3.

He warned that Pakistan would respond through diplomatic and legal channels and India will be given a befitting reply at every forum when the time comes.

The upcoming meeting is seen as a crucial opportunity for dialogue, but experts warn that unless meaningful resolutions are reached, the already fragile peace between the two nuclear-armed neighbours could deteriorate further.