BRUSSELS: European lawmakers have voiced support for Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty, calling for international efforts to ensure compliance with the agreement during a meeting on global governance at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, addressed the meeting, stressing that respect for international law and treaties was essential for global stability.
Qureshi highlighted Pakistan’s concerns over the Indus Waters Treaty and called for the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) dispute to be resolved in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, @rahimhayat, delivered a statement at the European Parliament on “The Future of Global Governance,” organized by Members of European Parliament, @dostalondrej and @mvdschulenburg.
The Ambassador reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, with the UN at its center. He underscored the need for stronger global cooperation to foster respect for treaties and agreements as the bed-rock of the Rules-Based International Order. The Ambassador also underscored importance of inclusive international financial system, and enhanced collaboration on climate change and emerging technologies.
@ForeignOfficePk
@MoIB_Official
@epwing_official— Pakistan Embassy Belgium (@PakinBrussels) October 14, 2026
He said relations between states should be based on equal rights and urged the inclusion of all relevant parties in efforts to reform the United Nations and advance the broader global interest.
The ambassador also called for greater international cooperation on reforming the global financial system, tackling climate change and developing modern technologies. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism, with the UN at its centre.
During the discussion, Czech Member of the European Parliament Andrej Dostál supported Pakistan’s position on the water-sharing agreement, while German MEP Michael von der Schulenburg urged the international community to help ensure its implementation and compliance.
The meeting comes amid tensions over the treaty after India announced in April 2025 that it would hold the agreement in abeyance following an attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan rejected the move, maintaining that the treaty could not be unilaterally suspended.
READ ALSO: Arbitration Court’s Ruling Strengthens Pakistan’s Position On Indus Waters Treaty: Legal Experts
In a significant development in Pakistan’s favour, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague ruled on August 31, 2026, that the Indus Waters Treaty remains fully in force despite India’s decision to hold it in abeyance.
The court rejected India’s legal arguments for suspending the treaty and affirmed that New Delhi remained bound by its obligations under the agreement. The ruling strengthens Pakistan’s position that the treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended.
Brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty governs the sharing of the Indus River system between Pakistan and India.
The agreement remains a major source of tension between the two neighbours, with Islamabad warning that any attempt to restrict its water flows would have serious consequences.
