Indus Waters Treaty, other punitive actions against Pakistan to remain in effect

NEW DELHI: India's punitive measures against Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam massacre , including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty , will remain in effect despite the agreement on pausing of hostilities between the two nations.

In addition, India's closure of the Attari integrated check-post in Punjab and cancellation of the Saarc visa exemption scheme for Pakistani nationals will also remain in effect, sources confirmed. Pakistan had previously called India's suspension of the treaty "an act of war".

After India and Pakistan reached an understanding on Saturday to halt firing and military actions, govt sources confirmed India's measures announced on April 23 will stay in place. "There are no pre-conditions to the ceasefire agreement reached on Saturday, and the IWT will remain suspended," ministry of external affairs sources stated.

Signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations facilitated by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty allocates the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan and the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India. It allows limited water- sharing, with India receiving 20% of the Indus river system's water and Pakistan 80%.