Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday announced that the next phase of the Neutral Expert proceedings under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is scheduled to be held in Vienna next week.
The IWT, mediated by the World Bank, has regulated the sharing and management of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan since 1960. India suspended its participation in the treaty after 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in an attack by Pakistan-based terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.
Pakistan initiated arbitration against India under the treaty’s provisions on September 19.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office said it has taken note of the Court of Arbitration’s recent decision, which offers “helpful clarification” on aspects of its Award on Issues of General Interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Pakistan also acknowledged the accompanying Procedural Order, which confirms that the Court will continue its work in phases and will consider the parallel proceedings before the Neutral Expert.
According to the statement, the Neutral Expert proceedings—initiated at India’s request—will resume in Vienna from November 17 to 21.
“While India has chosen to withdraw its participation, Pakistan remains fully engaged in the Neutral Expert process in good faith. The Neutral Expert has ruled that India’s absence does not prevent the proceedings from moving forward,” it added.
