Islamabad:
Pakistan has raised objections after India bypassed Indus Water’s Treaty (IWT) by sending flood warnings through diplomatic channels instead of the Indus Water Commission, the designated forum during the 1960 agreement.
According to the Foreign Office on Monday, India’s High Commission in Islamabad conveyed flooding data on Sunday, marking the first such exchange, since New Delhi unilaterally suspended the treaty after the Pahagam attack in April.
In a letter seen by Express PakinomistThe Indian High Commission in Islamabad informed Pakistan of a “high flood” in River Tawi, Jammu, at. 10am on August 24th.
The Foreign Office later confirmed the development, but asked India’s method of communication. “On August 24, 2025, India communicated flood warnings through diplomatic channels rather than through the Indus Waters Commission as required by IWT. India is obliged to fully comply with all provisions of the Treaty,” the FO declaration read.
It added that India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty constitutes a “serious violation of international law” with potential consequences for regional peace and stability.
Read more: India warns Pakistan about upcoming flood threat
A senior Pakistani official told Express Pakinomist That India seemed to be consciously omitting reference to the treaty to establish a “new normal” in its dealings with Pakistan. A named Indian official cited by Reuters said the data was shared on “humanitarian ground” and not under treaty obligations.
Following the alarm, Punjab’s Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) released warnings for Gujrat and Sialkot districts, warning that rising waters in the river Tawi could affect Chenab’s power. District administrations were instructed to activate flood monitoring and emergency systems.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with the World Bank’s mediation, assigns the western rivers – Indus, Jhelum and Chenab – to Pakistan, while India controls the eastern rivers – Ravi, Beas and Sutlej – to the conditions that it does not change western flows significantly.
The permanent arbitration court recently confirmed that India cannot unilaterally move away from the Treaty and must strictly comply with the provisions of Run-of-the-River projects.
Islamabad has repeatedly warned that any attempt by New Delhi to prevent Pakistan’s proper proportion of water would be considered an aggression.
