Latest news with #IndusWatersTreaty
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM Shehbaz hails World Bank position on IWT
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday praised the World Bank for its support of Pakistan's position on the Indus Waters Treaty, criticising India's 'unilateral and illegal' actions that he said undermine the landmark agreement. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 people. India blamed Pakistan for the attack but provided no evidence. Islamabad strongly denied the allegations. On April 23, India closed the Wagah border crossing, revoked Pakistani visas, and announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan condemned the move as an 'act of war' and responded by sealing the Wagah border from its side. In a meeting with Ousmane Dione, World Bank Regional Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, Shehbaz reiterated Pakistan's commitment to upholding international law, pursuing peaceful dialogue, and promoting regional prosperity. Regional Vice President of the World Bank Ousmane Dione called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. — Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 24, 2025 The prime minister expressed appreciation for the World Bank's longstanding partnership and described its backing as aligned with Pakistan's lawful stance on water rights under the treaty. Shehbaz also acknowledged the strategic role of the Country Partnership Framework in supporting Pakistan's national priorities, particularly in the areas of energy, climate change, human development, and governance reform. Read: World Bank approves $194m for education, water security in Balochistan He thanked the Bank for its timely assistance during the 2022 floods, which enabled Pakistan to launch emergency relief and rehabilitation efforts for affected communities. Dione reaffirmed the World Bank's commitment to expanding collaboration with Pakistan and lauded the government's reform agenda aimed at ensuring macroeconomic stability and long-term sustainability. Both sides expressed a shared resolve to deepen cooperation in the coming years to accelerate development and improve livelihoods. Earlier, the World Bank reaffirmed its support for Pakistan's economic stability during a separate meeting held on Wednesday between Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema and Ousmane Dione at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Islamabad. According to an official statement from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Bank appreciated Pakistan's reform efforts and progress under the Country Partnership Framework. Both sides discussed avenues for deepening cooperation in critical sectors, with an emphasis on ensuring sustained recovery and long-term financial resilience.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan welcomes World Bank stance on Indus Waters Treaty amid India suspension row
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed the World Bank's position against India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), describing it as 'principled support' for Pakistan during a meeting with the Bank's regional vice president, Ousmane Dione, who is currently visiting the country. The IWT, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, governs water sharing between India and Pakistan. Earlier this year, New Delhi announced it was placing the treaty 'in abeyance' following a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. Indian authorities blamed the attack on Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denied while calling for a transparent and impartial international investigation. The incident also triggered a four-day military standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, which ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10. 'The Prime Minister appreciated the World Bank's principled support for Pakistan's legitimate position in light of India's unilateral and illegal actions to undermine a key international agreement like the Indus Waters Treaty,' said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office after Sharif's meeting with Dione. 'He reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to international law, the pursuit of prosperity, and the maintenance of regional peace, and expressed his resolve to address all issues through dialogue,' it added. The World Bank's stance aligns with comments made by its president, Ajay Banga, in May, when he clarified that the IWT contains no provision for unilateral suspension or withdrawal, and that any changes to the agreement must be made mutually by both India and Pakistan. Banga also noted the Bank's role in the treaty is strictly administrative, to appoint dispute-resolution experts and manage a trust fund when required, adding the institution has no authority to intervene in political decisions by either country. During their meeting, Sharif and Dione discussed ongoing development cooperation, including the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework (CPF), a strategic roadmap for investments in energy, education, governance reforms, and climate resilience. The prime minister also thanked the Bank for its 'swift and generous assistance' during Pakistan's 2022 floods, which killed over 1,700 people, displaced millions and devastated agricultural land and public infrastructure. Dione, the Bank's regional vice president for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP), reaffirmed his institution's commitment to deepening its engagement with Pakistan. He praised the country's ongoing macroeconomic stabilization efforts and expressed confidence in the current administration's reform agenda aimed at restoring investor confidence and promoting inclusive, sustainable growth.
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz lauds World Bank's support on Indus Waters Treaty dispute
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday lauded the World Bank's principled support for Pakistan's stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, reiterating Islamabad's commitment to upholding international law and resolving regional issues through dialogue. PM Shehbaz remarks came during a meeting with Ousmane Dione, World Bank Regional Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAAP), in Islamabad, where both sides discussed bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to Pakistan's long-term development goals, read a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). 'PM Shehbaz appreciated the World Bank's principled support for Pakistan's legitimate position in light of India's unilateral and illegal actions to undermine important international agreements like the Indus Waters Treaty,' read the statement. The prime minister expressed his sincere gratitude to the World Bank for its long-standing partnership with Pakistan. World Bank urges Pakistan to expedite $55mn power efficiency project 'He particularly thanked World Bank's President, Ajay Banga and former World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, Najy Benhassine, for their key role in advancing the new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Pakistan,' read the statement. The prime minister appreciated the strategic role of the CPF in Pakistan's development priorities, especially in the areas of energy, human resources, climate change and governance reforms. The Prime Minister thanked the World Bank for its assistance during the devastating floods of 2022, which helped Pakistan to launch immediate relief activities and initiate reconstruction and rehabilitation measures. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dione thanked PM Shehbaz Sharif for the warm hospitality extended to him during his visit to Pakistan. He reiterated the World Bank's commitment to further deepen and broaden Pakistan's long-standing partnership and cooperation in key sectors of the economy. As per the PMO's statement, Dion commended Pakistan's ongoing macroeconomic recovery and commended the government for leading the country towards fiscal stability and sustainable growth. The World Bank official particularly praised the reform agenda of the current administration, describing the strong leadership of PM Shehbaz as crucial in advancing institutional reforms, restoring investor confidence, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Pak steeped in terrorism, says India as Islamabad raises J&K in UNSC; US doubles down on ceasefire claims
UNSC NEW DELHI: A 'serial borrower' from the IMF, Pakistan is steeped in fanaticism and terrorism, said India at the UN Security Council (UNSC) as Islamabad brought up the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) issue in an open debate it organised under its July presidency of the Council on peaceful settlement of disputes. The meeting ended with the unanimous adoption of a Pakistan-sponsored resolution urging member-states to effectively utilize mechanisms for pacific settlement of disputes as outlined in the UN Charter Article 33, including 'negotiation, enquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration…or other peaceful means of their choice'. The resolution did not name Kashmir or any other issue. In the debate presided over by Pakistan deputy PM and foreign minister Ishaq Dar, the US representative doubled down on President Donald Trump's ceasefire claims, saying that the US leadership delivered "de-escalations between Israel and Iran, between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and between India and Pakistan'. After Dar raised issues related to J&K and New Delhi's decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, Indian ambassador P Harish responded by asserting that it ill behoves a member of the Council to offer homilies while indulging in practices that are unacceptable to the international community. 'The Indian Sub-Continent offers a stark contrast in terms of progress, prosperity and development models. On the one hand, there is India which is a mature democracy, a surging economy and a pluralistic and inclusive society. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo At the other extreme is Pakistan, steeped in fanaticism and terrorism, and a serial borrower from the IMF,' said Harish, adding that zero tolerance for terrorism is one of the fundamental principles that need to be respected while promoting international peace and security. The open debate on unresolved disputes was one of the signature events that Pakistan is organising under its presidency of the Council, the other being the upcoming meeting on UN-OIC cooperation. The resolution on pacific settlement of disputes was generic in nature, as it's unlikely it would have found unanimous support from the Council by explicitly mentioning or talking about disputes. Pakistan had through the resolution urged full use of all Chapter VI mechanisms of the UN Charter for peaceful resolution of disputes between nations, hoping to spotlight the J&K issue. While Article 33 of the Chapter states that the parties to any dispute shall seek a solution by, among other things, mediation and arbitration, it also says the parties can seek a solution through 'other peaceful means of their own choice'. For India, its emphasis on bilateralism in line with the Simla and Lahore Declarations conforms to other peaceful means. In his remarks, Harish highlighted the fact that Chapter begins with a recognition that it is the 'parties to a dispute' who must first of all seek a solution by peaceful means of their own choice. 'National ownership and consent of parties are central to any efforts to achieve peaceful resolution of conflicts,' he said. Harish also said that there should be a serious cost to states who violate the spirit of good neighbourliness and international relations by fomenting cross-border terrorism, while mentioning the Pahalgam terrorist attack and its condemnation by the Council that underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors to justice. 'India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), which was focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. On achieving its primary objectives, a cessation of military activities was directly concluded at the request of Pakistan,' he said.
Hindustan Times
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India condemns Pak's funding of terror at UN
India condemned Pakistan's sponsorship of cross border terrorism at the United Nations on Tuesday at a high-level open debate chaired by Islamabad. India condemns Pak's funding of terror at UN 'I am also constrained to respond to the remarks made by the representative of Pakistan. The Indian subcontinent offers a stark contrast in terms of progress, prosperity and development models. On the one hand, there is India which is a mature democracy, a surging economy and a pluralistic and inclusive society. At the other extreme is Pakistan, steeped in fanaticism and terrorism, and a serial borrower from the IMF,' said Ambassador P Harish, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The debate was one of two signature events planned by Pakistan as part of its Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of July. The presidency of the UNSC, the UN's top decision making body, rotates every month between its 15 members. India was responding to a statement made earlier in the day by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar who condemned India's 'occupation' of Jammu and Kashmir. Dar also questioned India's decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Through the high level open debate, Pakistan has pushed for greater international involvement in the mediation of disputes, which would presumably also include Kashmir. In response, India stated that consent of the parties to a dispute was crucial to ensure the peaceful resolution of international conflicts. New Delhi has resisted international mediation on the Kashmir issue in favour of dealing with the dispute bilaterally. 'There cannot be one standard approach to dispute resolution. The changing circumstances and context also need to be taken into account while considering any such efforts,' said Harish. India also called for costs to be imposed on nations that sponsor cross border terrorism before defending India's actions in Operation Sindoor, which was launched in May as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack. 'Recently, consequent to the gruesome terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 that led to the killing of 26 innocent tourists, and based on the Council Statement of 25 April where members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), which was focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature,' Harish added. 'As we debate promoting international peace and security, it is essential to recognize that there are some fundamental principles which need to be universally respected. One of them is zero tolerance for terrorism. It ill behoves a member of the Council to offer homilies while indulging in practices that are unacceptable to the international community,' he said.
