Pak spends nearly $6m on Indus waters case against India

NEW DELHI, Oct 10: Pakistan has spent close to $6 million to pursue a case against India at the Court of Arbitration in The Hague, including contributions sought by the body from India, at a time when Islamabad is grappling with a range of economic problems and implementing an austerity drive that has hit most government departments.

The Pakistan government’s budget papers for 2026-27 show that out of the Water Resources Division’s current expenditure budget of about $15.3 million (Pakistan 4.241 billion), more than half �" or $7.9 million (Pakistan 2.187 billion) �" has been allocated to the Pakistan Mission for Indus Waters.

In terms of Pakistan’s domestic water priorities, the budget documents show only about $1.2 million (Pakistan 332.478 million) was allocated to the office of the Chief Engineering Adviser and Chairman of the Federal Flood Commission.
Nearly $7.2 million appears under the broad heading of “general” operating expenses and the budget documents don’t specify how much of this provision will go towards international litigation.

Pakistan has so far paid almost $6 million towards the Court of Arbitration proceedings in The Hague in connection with its objections to the Ratle and Kishenganga hydropower projects. Significantly, this amount includes the contribution sought by the court from India, people familiar with the matter said.�" HT