Indus Waters Western Rivers Arbitration (Pakistan v. India)

On 19 August 2016, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan instituted arbitral proceedings against the Republic of India under Paragraph 2(b) of Annexure G to the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. A Court of Arbitration was constituted pursuant to Annexure G. The Permanent Court of Arbitration acts as Secretariat to the Court of Arbitration pursuant to Paragraph 15(a) of Annexure G.

Case information

Name(s) of Claimant(s) The Islamic Republic of Pakistan (- N/A -)
Name(s) of Respondent(s) The Republic of India (- N/A -)
Names of Parties -
Case number 2023-01
Administering institution Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
Case status Pending
Type of case Inter-state arbitration
Subject matter or economic sector Electricity/Power
Procedural rules - Other -
Treaty or contract under which proceedings were commenced

Bilateral treaty
Indus Waters Treaty
Country A: India
Country B: Pakistan
Language of Proceeding English
Seat of Arbitration (by Country) -
Arbitrator(s), Conciliator(s), Other Neutral(s)

Court of Arbitration:

Professor Sean D. Murphy (Chairman)

Professor Wouter Buytaert

Professor Jeffrey P. Minear

Judge Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh

Dr. Donald Blackmore
Representatives of the Claimant(s)

Agent for Pakistan:

Mr. Mansoor Usman Awan

Attorney General

Government of Pakistan

 

Deputy Agent for Pakistan: 

Mr. Raja Naeem Akbar

Federal Secretary

Ministry of Law and Justice

Government of Pakistan

 

Representatives for Pakistan:

Mr. Someir Siraj

Ms. Fatima Anwar Malik

Office of the Attorney-General for Pakistan

 

Mr. Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh

Federal Secretary (ad interim)

Ministry of Water Resources

 

Mr. Syed Muhammad Mehar Ali Shah

Pakistan Commissioner for Indus Waters

 

Mr. Syed Shahroz Bakhtiyar

Office of the Minister of Law and Justice 

 

Counsel for Pakistan:

Sir Daniel Bethlehem KC

Twenty Essex

 

Professor Attila Tanzi

3 Verulam Buildings

 

Professor Philippa Webb KC

Twenty Essex

 

Dr. Cameron Miles

3 Verulam Buildings

 

Mr. Stephen Fietta KC

Ms. Laura Rees-Evans

Ms. Miglena Angelova

Ms. Jane Byrne

Ms. Charlotte Westbrook

Mr. Abdullah Tariq

Ms. Adelaida Mata

Fietta LLP
Representatives of the Respondent(s)

India has not appointed an Agent.  The Court of Arbitration has directed communications to the following representatives, ex officio:

 

Shri V.L. Kantha Rao

Secretary, Department of Water Resources,

River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti

 

Shri Darpan Talwar

Commissioner (Indus)

Ministry of Jal Shakti
Representatives of the Parties
Number of Arbitrators in case 5
Date of commencement of proceeding 19 August 2016
Date of issue of final award -
Length of Proceedings Pending
Additional notes -

Documents

Notice of Arbitration

Request for Arbitration (including Note Verbale)
Download | 19 August 2016 | English | 1 MB
Amended Request for Arbitration
Download | 28 July 2023 | English | 2 MB

Written submission

Letter from India to the World Bank (including Explanatory Note)
Download | 21 December 2022 | English | 7 MB
Statement on Coordination and Division of Competence (Pakistan)
Download | 23 February 2023 | English | 4 MB
Response of Pakistan (Preliminary Phase on Competence)
Download | 24 March 2023 | English | 835 KB
Pakistan's Memorial (First Phase on the Merits) - Vol. I
Download | 22 March 2024 | English | 10 MB
Pakistan's Memorial (First Phase on the Merits) - Vol. II
Download | 22 March 2024 | English | 4 MB
Pakistan's Final Submissions (First Phase on the Merits)
Download | 16 July 2024 | English | 121 KB
Pakistan's Post Hearing Submission
Download | 01 November 2024 | English | 2 MB
Pakistan's Supplementary Memorandum
Download | 08 November 2024 | English | 264 KB
Pakistan's Preliminary Comments on Particular Matters addressed in Procedural Order No. 14
Download | 25 January 2025 | English | 214 KB
Pakistan's Final Comments on Particular Matters addressed in Procedural Order No. 14
Download | 25 February 2025 | English | 2 MB
Pakistan's Submissions on Recent Developments Pursuant to Procedural Order No. 15
Download | 11 June 2025 | English | 1 MB
Pakistan's Request for Clarification of the Award on General Issues of Interpretation
Download | 19 September 2025 | English | 385 KB
Pakistan's Memorial (Second Phase on the Merits) - Vol. I
Download | 19 January 2026 | English | 928 KB
Pakistan's Memorial (Second Phase on the Merits) - Vol. II
Download | 19 January 2026 | English | 4 MB
Pakistan's Final Submissions (Second Phase on the Merits)
Download | 03 February 2026 | English | 420 KB

Procedural Documents

Procedural Order No. 1
Download | 02 February 2023 | English | 210 KB
Procedural Order No. 2
Download | 15 March 2023 | English | 182 KB
Supplemental Rules of Procedure
Download | 31 March 2023 | English | 348 KB
Questions to be Addressed at the Hearing on Competence
Download | 26 April 2023 | English | 253 KB
Procedural Order No. 3
Download | 02 May 2023 | English | 217 KB
Procedural Order No. 4
Download | 05 May 2023 | English | 203 KB
Procedural Order No. 5
Download | 09 May 2023 | English | 298 KB
Further Questions to be Addressed at the Hearing on Competence
Download | 12 May 2023 | English | 17 KB
Procedural Order No. 6
Download | 06 July 2023 | English | 243 KB
Procedural Order No. 7
Download | 22 July 2023 | English | 161 KB
Procedural Order No. 8
Download | 10 August 2023 | English | 175 KB
Procedural Order No. 9
Download | 02 February 2024 | English | 260 KB
Procedural Order No. 10
Download | 03 February 2024 | English | 250 KB
Technical Questions for the Parties in Advance of the Site Visit
Download | 15 April 2024 | English | 14 KB
Procedural Order No. 11
Download | 27 May 2024 | English | 104 KB
Questions to be Addressed at the Hearing for the First Phase on the Merits
Download | 20 June 2024 | English | 115 KB
Procedural Order No. 12
Download | 29 June 2024 | English | 267 KB
Further Questions to be Addressed at the Hearing for the First Phase on the Merits
Download | 13 July 2024 | English | 194 KB
Procedural Order No. 13
Download | 13 August 2024 | English | 228 KB
Procedural Order No. 14
Download | 06 December 2024 | English | 190 KB
Procedural Order No. 15
Download | 16 May 2025 | English | 132 KB
Procedural Order No. 16
Download | 08 November 2025 | English | 190 KB
Procedural Order No. 17
Download | 21 November 2025 | English | 196 KB
Procedural Order No. 18
Download | 24 January 2026 | English | 249 KB
Procedural Order No. 19
Download | 29 January 2026 | English | 276 KB
Procedural Order No. 20 (Redacted)
Download | 12 March 2026 | English | 369 KB
Procedural Order No. 21
Download | 12 March 2026 | English | 131 KB
Procedural Order No. 22
Download | 20 March 2026 | English | 246 KB
Procedural Order No. 23
Download | 21 April 2026 | English | 230 KB

Award or other decision

Award on the Competence of the Court
Download | 06 July 2023 | English | 2 MB
Supplemental Award on the Competence of the Court
Download | 27 June 2025 | English | 842 KB
Award on Issues of General Interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty
Download | 08 August 2025 | English | 5 MB
Concurring Opinion of Professor Minear
Download | 08 August 2025 | English | 543 KB
Partly Dissenting Opinion of Judge Al-Khasawneh
Download | 08 August 2025 | English | 749 KB
Decision Pakistan's Request for Clarification of the Award on Issues of General Interpretation
Download | 08 November 2025 | English | 792 KB
Award concerning Maximum Pondage Supplemental to the Award on Issues of General Interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty
Download | 15 May 2026 | English | 2 MB

Press Release

PCA Press Release - First Meeting of Court of Arbitration
Download | 03 February 2023 | English | 2 MB
PCA Press Release - Hearing on Competence
Download | 17 May 2023 | English | 830 KB
PCA Press Release - Award on the Competence of the Court
Download | 06 July 2023 | English | 219 KB
PCA Press Release - Site Visit of NJHEP
Download | 08 May 2024 | English | 4 MB
PCA Press Release - Hearing for the First Phase on the Merits
Download | 19 July 2024 | English | 5 MB
PCA Press Release - Award on Issues of General Interpretation of the Indus Waters Treaty
Download | 11 August 2025 | English | 405 KB
PCA Press Release - Supplemental Award on Competence
Download | 27 June 2025 | English | 232 KB
PCA Press Release - Decision on Pakistan's Request for Clarification
Download | 10 November 2025 | English | 242 KB
PCA Press Release - Hearing for the Second Phase on the Merits
Download | 09 February 2026 | English | 2 MB
PCA Press Release -- Supplemental Award on Maximum Pondage
Download | 05 June 2026 | English | 257 KB

Other

Correction to the Award on the Competence of the Court
Download | 18 September 2023 | English | 494 KB
Site Visit Presentation 1 - NJHEP General Orientation
Download | 24 April 2024 | English | 3 MB
Site Visit Presentation 2 - HEP Design, Construction and Operation
Download | 24 April 2024 | English | 3 MB
Site Visit Presentation 3 - NJHEP Dam and Reservoir Site
Download | 25 April 2024 | English | 1 MB
Site Visit Presentation 4 - Overview of Dam Site
Download | 25 April 2024 | English | 3 MB
Site Visit Presentation 5 - Run of River HEP Basics I
Download | 26 April 2024 | English | 2 MB
Site Visit Presentation 6 - Run of River HEP Basics II
Download | 26 April 2024 | English | 3 MB
Site Visit Presentation 7 - Dam and Reservoir Inspection
Download | 25 April 2024 | English | 835 KB
Site Visit Presentation 8 - NJHEP Powerhouse Orientation
Download | 27 April 2024 | English | 2 MB
Site Visit Presentation 9 - Dam Powerhouse Basics
Download | 27 April 2024 | English | filesize missing
Site Visit Presentation 10 - Power Production
Download | 27 April 2024 | English | 2 MB
Site Visit Presentation 11 - Powerhouse Inspection
Download | 27 April 2024 | English | 475 KB
Site Visit - Neutral Observer Certificate of Conformity
Download | 29 April 2024 | English | 326 KB
Hearing Presentation 1 - Presentation by Syed M Mehar Ali Shah
Download | 08 July 2024 | English | 17 MB
Hearing Presentation 2 - Negotiating the Treaty by Laura Rees-Evans
Download | 09 July 2024 | English | 2 MB
Hearing Presentation 3 - Principles of Treaty Interpretation by Professor Philippa Webb
Download | 09 July 2024 | English | 2 MB
Hearing Presentation 4 - Water usage and sustainability by Stephen Fietta KC
Download | 09 July 2024 | English | 8 MB
Hearing Presentation 5 - Himalayan Run-of-River Design and Operation: An Engineering Perspective by Gregory L. Morris, PE PhD
Download | 09 July 2024 | English | 3 MB
Hearing Presentation 6 - Incorporating a Run-of-River HEP in an Integrated Power System by Peter Rae
Download | 09 July 2024 | English | 1 MB
Hearing Presentation 7 - Baglihar and Kishenganga systemic interpretation issues and response to Court’s Question (a) by Stephen Fietta KC
Download | 10 July 2024 | English | 862 KB
Hearing Presentation 8 - Handout to the presentation by Stephen Fietta KC: Matrices
Download | 10 July 2024 | English | 189 KB
Hearing Presentation 9 - The Western Rivers Run-of-River Hydro Bargain by Professor Philippa Webb
Download | 10 July 2024 | English | 2 MB
Hearing Presentation 10 - Handout to the presentation by Professor Philippa Webb
Download | 10 July 2024 | English | 156 KB
Hearing Presentation 11 - Approaching Paragraph 8 from the Perspective of an Engineer by Gregory L. Morris, PE PhD
Download | 11 July 2024 | English | 1 MB
Hearing Presentation 12 - Outlets, Spillways and Power Intakes by Professor Philippa Webb
Download | 11 July 2024 | English | 3 MB
Hearing Presentation 13 - Freeboard by Dr Cameron Miles
Download | 11 July 2024 | English | 3 MB
Hearing Presentation 14 - Sketch drawn in the presentation by Gregory L. Morris, PE PhD
Download | 12 July 2024 | English | 64 KB
Hearing Presentation 15 - Pondage by Dr Cameron Miles
Download | 12 July 2024 | English | 5 MB
Hearing Presentation 16 - Redesigning in light of Paragraph 8 by Dr Cameron Miles
Download | 12 July 2024 | English | 1 MB
Hearing Presentation 17 - Written Question No. 6 Response on the issue of the Kishenganga Final Award requirement of minimum flow by Sir Daniel Bethlehem KC
Download | 15 July 2024 | English | 324 KB
Hearing Presentation 18 - Questions on Pondage by Peter Rae
Download | 15 July 2024 | English | 2 MB
Hearing Presentation 19 - Addressing the Court’s Questions by Gregory L. Morris, PE PhD
Download | 16 July 2024 | English | 859 KB
Hearing Presentation 20 - Court questions on Pondage by Dr Cameron Miles
Download | 16 July 2024 | English | 2 MB
Hearing Presentation 21 - Handout to the presentation by Dr Cameron Miles
Download | 16 July 2024 | English | 950 KB
Hearing Presentation 22 - Outlets, Spillways and Power Intakes by Professor Philippa Webb
Download | 16 July 2024 | English | 1 MB
Hearing Presentation 23 - Systemic interpretation and paragraph 35(a) of PO6: the scope of Kishenganga’s res judicata effect by Stephen Fietta KC
Download | 16 July 2024 | English | 545 KB
Hearing Presentation (Second Phase Merits) 1 - Opening
Download | 02 February 2026 | English | 1 MB
Hearing Presentation (Second Phase Merits) 2 - Historical Issues and Treaty Interpretation
Download | 02 February 2026 | English | 4 MB
Hearing Presentation (Second Phase Merits) 3 - Pondage Legal Analysis
Download | 02 February 2026 | English | 6 MB
Hearing Presentation (Second Phase Merits) 4 - Pondage Engineering Analysis
Download | 02 February 2026 | English | 3 MB
Hearing Presentation (Second Phase Merits) 5 - Engineering Analysis Second Round
Download | 03 February 2026 | English | 938 KB
Hearing Presentation (Second Phase Merits) 6 - Legal Analysis Second Round
Download | 03 February 2026 | English | 3 MB
Hearing Presentation (Second Phase Merits) 7 - Historical Practice and Treaty Interpretation
Download | 03 February 2026 | English | 1 MB
Hearing Presentation (Second Phase Merits) 8 - Hydropower Peaking
Download | 03 February 2026 | English | 4 MB

Transcript/Minutes

Hearing on Competence (Day 1)
Download | 11 May 2023 | English | 1 MB
Hearing on Competence (Day 2)
Download | 12 May 2023 | English | 776 KB
Hearing on Competence (Day 3)
Download | 13 May 2023 | English | 852 KB
Site Visit Transcript - 24 April 2024
Download | 24 April 2024 | English | 418 KB
Site Visit Transcript - 25 April 2024
Download | 25 April 2024 | English | 380 KB
Site Visit Transcript - 26 April 2024
Download | 26 April 2024 | English | 468 KB
Site Visit Transcript - 27 April 2024
Download | 27 April 2024 | English | 494 KB
Hearing for First Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 1)
Download | 08 July 2024 | English | 745 KB
Hearing for First Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 2)
Download | 09 July 2024 | English | 780 KB
Hearing for First Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 3)
Download | 10 July 2024 | English | 773 KB
Hearing for First Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 4)
Download | 11 July 2024 | English | 798 KB
Hearing for First Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 5)
Download | 12 July 2024 | English | 874 KB
Hearing for First Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 6)
Download | 15 July 2024 | English | 480 KB
Hearing for First Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 7)
Download | 16 July 2024 | English | 839 KB
Hearing for Second Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 1)
Download | 02 February 2026 | English | 887 KB
Hearing for Second Phase on the Merits Transcript (Day 2)
Download | 03 February 2026 | English | 586 KB

Cases