BISHKEK / ISLAMABAD — September 1, 2026 — Addressing world leaders at the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State Summit in Bishkek today, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that water is the "lifeblood of our region" and must never be weaponized or exploited for political leverage.
Key Takeaways from the SCO Summit Address
Unconditional Compliance: Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized that treaties governing shared cross-border waters are binding international commitments that must be honored unconditionally, both in letter and in spirit.
Regional Water Security: He noted that water sustains over three billion people across the region, nourishing agriculture, ecosystems, and future economic stability.
Dialogue Over Division: The Prime Minister urged member states to choose "cooperation over confrontation, dialogue over division, and bridges over barriers" to resolve complex regional disputes.
Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague. Source: PCA-CPA
The Hague Ruling on the Indus Waters Treaty
The Prime Minister's remarks followed a major international legal development at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague:
Treaty Status Upheld: The PCA unanimously ruled that the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully valid and operational, rejecting unilateral attempts to suspend or abrogate its provisions.
Binding Directives: The court issued interim measures directing India to halt disputed construction activities at the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant and maintain water-sharing obligations to downstream Pakistan.
Pakistan Assumes SCO Presidency
At the conclusion of the summit, Pakistan officially assumed the rotating chairmanship of the SCO Council of Heads of State for 2026–2027. Islamabad will host the next annual leaders' summit, focusing on regional connectivity, climate resilience, green energy development, and joint technology initiatives.
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