Pakistan has secured a significant procedural win against India in the long-running Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) dispute, as an international arbitral tribunal ordered New Delhi to disclose key operational documents related to disputed hydropower projects.
The International Court of Arbitration has directed India to submit working papers and operational logbooks of the Baglihar and Kishanganga hydropower projects, both located on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty.
The tribunal issued a detailed 13-page procedural order instructing India to provide the operational logbooks by February 9, 2026, or formally state reasons for any refusal to do so.
Pakistan asked to specify required documents
While granting relief to Pakistan, the court also directed Islamabad to clarify by February 2, 2026, the exact documents it seeks from India. This step is intended to streamline the evidentiary process ahead of the next phase of hearings.
The tribunal confirmed that proceedings will continue regardless of India’s participation.
The second phase of hearings on the merits of the case is scheduled to take place in The Hague from February 2 to 3, 2026. A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by the attorney general and including the Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters, is set to attend the hearing starting Saturday.
Officials say the ruling marks a notable advancement in Pakistan’s effort to ensure transparency and treaty compliance in the operation of shared water resources.
Why Baglihar, Kishanganga matter
Pakistan has long raised objections to the design and operation of the Baglihar and Kishanganga hydroelectric plants, arguing they could allow India to manipulate river flows in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Access to operational logbooks and working papers is seen as critical to assessing whether the projects comply with treaty provisions governing water usage, storage, and flow regulation.
The legal development comes at a time when Pakistan’s water security situation has reached a critical point. The government has warned of severe risks to agriculture, drinking water availability, and flood management due to regional tensions, climate volatility, rapid population growth, and delays in key infrastructure projects.
These concerns were highlighted during a detailed question-and-answer session in the National Assembly, where the minister for water resources outlined mounting challenges and the state’s long-term response strategy.
Impact of India’s treaty stance
Lawmakers were informed that India’s unilateral decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance has disrupted hydrological data sharing and technical coordination.
Officials cautioned that any reduction or interruption in the flow of the River Chenab could have devastating consequences for agriculture, placing millions of acres irrigated by the Upper and Lower Chenab Canal systems at serious risk. Authorities have already observed irregular flow patterns, heightening concerns over crop sustainability and food security.
