KARACHI: Despite ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan following days of intense cross-border hostilities, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains suspended, according to four government sources cited by Reuters.
The 1960 treaty governs the allocation of water from the Indus River and its tributaries between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India withdrew from the treaty last month following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir.
The ceasefire, announced after four days of air and missile strikes targeting each other’s military sites, came after U.S.-brokered negotiations. Former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the development on Truth Social, stating: “After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence.”
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari hailed the ceasefire as a diplomatic win for Pakistan and a testament to its effective military and foreign policy. He emphasized that India’s readiness to return to dialogue demonstrates Pakistan’s strategic success.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that both countries will soon initiate broader negotiations at a neutral venue.
Bilawal criticized India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a serious violation of international obligations. “The Indus Treaty must be restored immediately,” he urged, appealing to the international community to intervene and uphold treaty commitments.
He also lauded the Pakistan Air Force for its exemplary performance during the conflict, stating, “The name of our Air Force will be written in golden letters in history.”
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, Bilawal reiterated that dialogue—not war—is the only path to resolving bilateral disputes, stressing that the country remains firm on defending its sovereignty while pursuing peaceful resolutions.
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