The Pakistan Army's top decision-making body, the Corps Commanders' Conference, has declared that it will take 'necessary measures' to ensure the country's share of water under the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). The statement comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over water sharing.
Forum's Statement on Water Rights
The forum, chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, met on Monday and discussed regional security and water issues. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the participants were briefed on the water situation and expressed resolve to safeguard Pakistan's water rights under the treaty.
The conference also reaffirmed Pakistan's 'unyielding diplomatic, political and moral support' to the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The forum condemned what it called India's 'illegal actions' in the region and reiterated its commitment to the Kashmir cause.
Indus Water Treaty Background
The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, governs the sharing of six rivers in the Indus basin. Under the treaty, India controls the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) while Pakistan has rights over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab). However, disputes have arisen over Indian hydroelectric projects on the western rivers, which Pakistan claims violate the treaty.
India has maintained that its projects are within permissible limits and that it is committed to the treaty. The World Bank, which brokered the pact, has often been involved in dispute resolution mechanisms. The latest statement from Pakistan's military adds to the longstanding friction over water sharing.
Implications for Bilateral Relations
The Pakistan Army's assertion comes at a time when bilateral ties between India and Pakistan remain strained. The IWT has survived multiple conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars, but recent diplomatic tensions have raised concerns about its future. Analysts say that any unilateral action by either side could escalate into a broader crisis.
The forum's statement did not specify what 'necessary measures' might entail, but it signals a hardening of Pakistan's stance. The conference also reviewed the internal security situation and paid tribute to soldiers killed in recent clashes along the Line of Control.
