Despite the elation surrounding Pakistan's response to India's post-Pahalgam aggression, many of the country's policymakers are still rightly worried about India's decision to suspend the longstanding Indus Water Treaty (IWT).

Pakistan has, thus far, stated that Indian attempts to disrupt the flow of the western rivers flowing from the Indus basin into Pakistan would be considered an act of war. Is it debatable whether India can build sufficient infrastructure at high altitudes to significantly lessen the flow of the three western rivers given to Pakistan by the IWT of 1960?

Pakistan can potentially challenge India's unilateral attempts to suspend the treaty via international arbitration mechanisms. Yet, earlier attempts by Pakistan to raise objections to Indian hydroelectric projects, such as the Kishanganga and Baglihar dams, using arbitration avenues provided under the water sharing treaty, proved cumbersome, and did not produce entirely satisfactory outcomes either.

The treaty itself is flawed, as it........

© The Express Tribune