Brussels, 15 October, 2026 (Ghufran): European lawmakers have expressed support for Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty, as Islamabad called on the international community to uphold international law, respect treaty obligations and resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, made these remarks during a meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels on the future of global governance. Qureshi emphasized that compliance with international agreements was essential for maintaining global stability and ensuring respect for international law. He also stressed that relations between states should be based on equality and mutual respect for the rights of all parties. Addressing proposals for reforming the United Nations, the Pakistani envoy called for the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders’ perspectives to ensure that reforms serve the broader interests of the international community.
During the meeting, Czech Member of the European Parliament Andrej Dostál supported Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty, while German MEP Michael von der Schulenburg called for international efforts to ensure the treaty’s implementation and compliance. Qureshi also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in reforming the global financial system, tackling climate change and advancing modern technologies. The discussions took place amid continuing tensions between Pakistan and India over the treaty. In April 2025, India announced that it would hold the agreement in abeyance following an attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan rejected the move, maintaining that neither country could unilaterally suspend the treaty. Signed in 1960 with the World Bank acting as a broker, the Indus Waters Treaty establishes arrangements for sharing the waters of the Indus River system between Pakistan and India. The agreement remains a major point of contention between the two countries, with Islamabad warning against unilateral measures that could threaten Pakistan’s water supply.