Indus Water Treaty: Pakistan alarmed by India's notice on Indus Water Treaty

National Desk:
Pakistan's Foreign Office said on Wednesday that Islamabad has responded to a letter from India to start talks for a review of the Indus Water Treaty.  Earlier this year, India issued its first notice to Pakistan seeking review and amendment of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
 "I can confirm that Pakistan has responded to the Indian letter on the Indus Water Treaty," Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told a weekly briefing.  Pakistan is committed to implementing the treaty in good faith and ensuring its water security.’
 Asked about the details of the Pakistani response, he said, ‘I wouldn’t want to add to the media speculation.  As I said, we have responded to India.  I have nothing more to add.” Replying to another question, Baloch said Pakistan used the relevant channel of communication, where our Indus Commissioner sent a letter to his Indian counterpart.
 The Government of India issued the notice to Pakistan in January 2023.  India had served the notice under unilateral action by Pakistan and violation of Article IX of the Indus Waters Treaty.  Pakistan could have filed an objection within three months of receipt of the notice.  Pakistan did not address it in any of the five meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission between 2017 and 2022.  Finally, India was forced to send notice.
 The agreement between India and Pakistan was signed in 1960.  Under this agreement, the rivers were divided between India and Pakistan.  The World Bank is also a signatory to the treaty.