MM News

KARACHI: Indian media has claimed that Pakistan has been issued notice by Delhi for modification of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of September 1960 following Pakistani “intransigence” on its implementation. The media reports further claim that the notice was conveyed to the neighbouring nation on January 25 through the Commissioners for Indus Water as per as per Article XII (3) of IWT.

According to local media reports, India issued notice to Pakistan for modification of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) due to its “intransigence” on a solution to the disputes over the Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs).

“The objective of the notice for modification is to provide Pakistan an opportunity to enter into intergovernmental negotiations within 90 days to rectify the material breach of IWT. This process would also update IWT to incorporate the lessons learned over the last 62 years,” said local media quoting sources. However, they did not elaborate on what were “the lessons learned” or how the “material breach of IWT” would be rectified.

The Indian side says it was forced to make the move after Pakistan took unilateral action for examining its objections to India’s HEPs. In 2015, Pakistan first requested for appointment of a neutral expert to examine its technical objections to India’s Kishenganga and Ratle Hydro Electric Projects. In 2016, it unilaterally retracted this request and proposed that a Court of Arbitration adjudicate on its objections.

According to reports, “the initiation of two simultaneous processes on the same questions and the potential of their inconsistent or contradictory outcomes creates an unprecedented and legally untenable situation, which risks endangering IWT itself. The World Bank acknowledged this itself in 2016, and took a decision to “pause” the initiation of two parallel processes and request India and Pakistan to seek an amicable way out.”