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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday accused India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by sending a flood warning through diplomatic channels instead of the treaty’s official mechanism, saying the move was a “serious violation of international law.”

The statement came a day after the Indian High Commission in Islamabad warned of high flood levels in the River Tawi in Indian-administered Kashmir, despite New Delhi announcing in April that it had suspended the decades-old treaty. 

“On 24 August 2025, India communicated flood warnings through diplomatic channels, rather than through the Indus Waters Commission as required under the Indus Waters Treaty,” the Foreign Office said, adding that India’s declaration to hold the treaty in abeyance could have “significant negative consequences for peace and stability in South Asia.”

The River Tawi, which joins Pakistan’s Chenab River, runs through the border districts of Gujrat and Sialkot. 

Following the Indian alert, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) in Punjab issued a flood warning, directing district administrations to activate monitoring and early warning systems.

A letter from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Sunday, seen by Arab News, stated: “River and site Name: Tawi, Jammu. Date/Time: 24th August 2025, 10.00 Hrs, flood data: high flood.”

India suspended the IWT in April after blaming Pakistan for an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Pakistan denied involvement and demanded an international probe.

Under the treaty, signed in 1960, Pakistan has rights to the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab — while India controls the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — but can use the western rivers for limited purposes provided it does not significantly alter their flow.

Pakistan had reacted strongly to India’s suspension of the IWT, warning that any attempt to stop or divert its guaranteed share of waters would be considered “an act of war.”

The latest exchange comes as Pakistan reels from deadly monsoon rains, with nearly 800 people killed since June 26 due to heavy showers and subsequent flash floods and landslides.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government dispatched its 21st consignment of relief items from the eastern city of Lahore on Monday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said in a statement, reaffirming solidarity with the people of Palestine amid Israel’s military operations. 

The 21st consignment, consisting of 100 tons of relief goods, was sent via a special flight from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport, the NDMA said. It added that the consignment comprises 100 tons of ration bags, cooked meals and fruit tin packs.

“So far, a total of 2,027 tons of aid has been sent through 21 consignments,” the NDMA said. 

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, officials and senior NDMA members attended the aid dispatch ceremony at the airport. The minister appreciated the efforts of the NDMA and other welfare organizations for ensuring the timely dispatch of the aid.

“He reaffirmed that Pakistan stands with the people of Palestine in this difficult time and will continue to make every possible effort to meet their needs,” the NDMA said. 

Pakistan’s 19th consignment of relief items for the people of Gaza arrived at Egypt’s EL Arish International Airport on Sunday. Pakistan has been repeatedly dispatching humanitarian relief items to Gaza, which has been reeling from food shortages and starvation, according to the global hunger monitor Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). 

Last Friday, the IPC warned that northern Gaza is suffering from famine, adding that it is projected to spread to central and southern areas of the territory by the end of September.

Pakistan does not recognize nor have diplomatic relations with Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters” and the pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Since the beginning of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Pakistan has repeatedly raised the issue of Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other multilateral platforms and demanded international powers and bodies stop Israeli military actions in Gaza. Israel’s military offensives have killed more than 62,000 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them civilians, since October 2023, as per figures from the health ministry in Gaza.

Islamabad also called on the international community to force Israel to allow uninterrupted access to humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza.