Pakistan on Friday, February 20, 2026 hailed a legal victory in its long-running water dispute with India after the Hague-based Court of Arbitration (CoA) endorsed Islamabad’s stance that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully operational and binding despite New Delhi’s claims to the contrary. The reaffirmation came during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources in Islamabad, where senior officials released updates on the contentious issue. Treaty Status Confirmed by Court of Arbitration The Ministry of Water Resources made it clear that contrary to an Indian communication claiming the IWT had been placed in “abeyance,” Pakistan maintains the treaty is fully effective. Secretary of the Ministry Syed Ali Murtaza, who also serves as acting Indus Water Commissioner, told lawmakers that the Court of Arbitration’s endorsement strengthened Pakistan’s legal position on the matter. He said India’s letter did not change the treaty’s binding nature. “The treaty remains operational and effective and binding on India,” Murtaza told the Senate committee. The decision by the CoA aligns with previous awards by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which has repeatedly asserted jurisdiction and upheld Pakistan’s interpretation of key treaty provisions despite India’s refusal to participate in certain proceedings. Background of the IWT Conflict The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, governs the sharing of six rivers in the Indus Basin between India and Pakistan. India controls the three eastern rivers (Beas, Sutlej and Ravi) while Pakistan has exclusive rights over the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab). The treaty was designed to avoid water disputes and has survived multiple wars and political tensions. However, relations between the two countries have soured on water issues in recent years. In April 2025, following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, New Delhi suspended its participation in the IWT, citing security concerns. Pakistan rejected that move, stating the treaty does not allow unilateral suspension and calling any attempt to impede Pakistan’s water share an “act of war.” India has also objected to multiple CoA directives and has at times refused to recognise the tribunal’s authority, claiming the dispute falls under the treaty’s traditional dispute-resolution mechanisms rather than outside arbitration. Indus Water Commission and Administrative Steps At the Senate committee session, the Ministry addressed administrative matters within the Indus Water Commission, noting that no regular commissioner currently holds the position. To manage this gap, Additional Secretary Mehar Ali Shah has been assigned the additional charge as Acting Indus Water Commissioner. Concerns were also raised about past actions by former Indus Water Commissioner Jamaat Ali Shah regarding hydroelectric issues in Indian-held Kashmir. The ministry’s secretary confirmed that Shah was exonerated after a formal inquiry, and stressed that commissioners cannot issue views without state approval. Regional and Environmental Stakes Experts say the treaty’s stability is central not only to diplomatic relations but also to water security in South Asia, where vast agricultural communities depend on the Indus river system. Downstream impacts from upstream projects like India’s Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project have historically raised tensions, prompting Pakistan to pursue legal avenues to ensure compliance with treaty conditions. Climate dynamics and increasing water stress add urgency to the matter, reinforcing the importance of cooperative water governance between the two nations. Read More: From Indus to Tankers: How Pakistan Became a Water-Scarce Country Looking Ahead While the Hague court’s affirmation strengthens Pakistan’s legal footing, unresolved political frictions and India’s scepticism about the tribunal’s legitimacy pose continuing challenges. For Pakistan, however, CoA’s endorsement represents a notable affirmation of its rights under a treaty that has endured six decades of regional turbulence.
Pakistan Joins India, Bangladesh as Moon Is Sighted; Ramadan Tomorrow, Ruet-e-Hilal Confirms
Pakistan stood on the brink of Ramadan 2026 as the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met to sight the crescent moon marking the start of the holy month. The meeting was chaired by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad and held in Peshawar, while zonal committees gathered in provincial capitals to collect testimonies from across the country. Officials from the Pakistan Meteorological Department and the Ministry of Religious Affairs were also present to provide technical input regarding moon visibility. The committee reviewed weather conditions, astronomical data, and eyewitness reports before announcing the official decision. Cloud cover in parts of the country remained a key factor in visibility, although clear skies in several regions raised expectations of a positive sighting. The final announcement would determine whether Ramadan begins the following day across Pakistan. Read More: Inside Pakistan’s Mosques: The Intense Prep Behind Taraweeh Nights The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee follows a long-standing tradition of physical moon sighting, even though astronomical calculations are considered during deliberations. This method continues to play a central role in religious observances across Pakistan. India and Bangladesh Confirm Ramadan Moon Apart with Pakistan neighboring countries also confirmed the sighting. Authorities in India and Bangladesh announced that the Ramadan crescent had been sighted, meaning the holy month would begin there the next day. In Bangladesh, the National Moon Sighting Committee confirmed the crescent after Maghrib prayers. Similarly, religious authorities in India declared the beginning of Ramadan following verified reports from multiple locations. These announcements often influence public anticipation in Pakistan, though the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee makes its decision independently based on domestic reports. Read More: Federal Government Announces Ramadan 2026 Office Timings Across Pakistan Ramadan’s Spiritual and Social Significance Ramadan holds immense religious importance for Muslims worldwide. The month is observed through fasting from dawn to sunset, increased prayer, charity, and community gatherings. In Pakistan, Ramadan brings a visible shift in daily life, including adjusted office hours, special television transmissions, and bustling markets ahead of iftar. Government institutions also prepare for the month with announcements regarding working hours and utility arrangements. Religious scholars encourage unity and harmony during the sacred period. Awaiting the Final Word in Pakistan As the committee meeting concluded deliberations, citizens across Pakistan waited for the official announcement. The decision would not only mark the start of fasting but also set the tone for nationwide religious observances over the coming weeks. Read More: Saudi Arabia Confirms Wednesday as First Day of Ramadan 2026 After Moon Sighting While India and Bangladesh confirmed the beginning of Ramadan, Pakistan’s declaration remains rooted in its own verification process. The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s announcement ultimately ensures clarity and unity for millions preparing to observe one of Islam’s holiest months. Yesterday, the Ramadan crescent was sighted in Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries, marking the beginning of the holy month there a day earlier. Following the official confirmation by Saudi authorities, Muslims in the Kingdom observed their first fast, which has now been completed today. Several Gulf and Arab states also began Ramadan in line with Saudi Arabia’s announcement, ushering in the start of religious and spiritual activities across the region.
