• FO says Islamabad advocating peace and diplomacy between allied Gulf states • Confirms Pakistan-India prisoner, nuclear list exchanges amid strained ties • Asks India to share details of Dulhasti-II project under Indus treaty ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office said on Thursday that Pakistan was seeking a diplomatic resolution of the dispute between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over Yemen, underscoring Islamabad’s push for dialogue as tensions persisted between two of its closest Gulf partners. The comments, which were the most categorical since the start of the Saudi-UAE row about Pakis­tan’s role in defusing tensions, came during the weekly media briefing by FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, who said Islamabad was actively engaging both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to encourage restraint and diplomacy. “We have been advocating peace and diplomacy to reach a solution. So, this is part of our exchanges that is taking place between our leadership and the leadership in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi,” Mr Andrabi said. Tensions peaked on Dec 30 when Saudi Arabia carried out air stri­kes on Yemen’s southern port of Mukalla, targeting what it said were weapons and armoured vehicles allegedly supplied to the Sou­thern Transitional Council (STC). No casualties were reported. Abu Dhabi later announced a voluntary pullout of its remaining counterterrorism units the same day. Thus far, Pakistan has pursued carefully balanced diplomacy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Dec 30 in Rahim Yar Khan during the Emirati leader’s private visit, officially focusing on bilateral ties but widely viewed as urging de-escalation. A day later, PM Shehbaz spoke by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Mr Andrabi said Pakistan was pursuing the issue through multilateral forums as well, including the UN Security Council. At the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, he added, Pakistan advocated “for peace, dialogue, role for diplomacy, including peace­ful settlement for a Yemeni-led, Yemeni-owned political process”. “So, this is in that spirit that we take our role as a mediator and a facilitator for bringing peace and prosperity for Yemen and for the brotherly people of Yemen,” Mr Andrabi said. **Exchange of lists** Meanwhile, Pakistan and India on Thursday exchanged lists of nuclear installations and prisoners, a long-standing confidence-building practice that has endured despite unprecedented strains in bilateral ties, which brought relations close to a virtual breakdown. Mr Andrabi confirmed the exchange, saying: “Today, on 1st January, as per our bilateral agreements, Pakistan and India exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody. Accordingly, the government of Pakistan today handed over a list of 257 Indian prisoners (58 civilians and 199 fishermen) in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad.” He said the move was in line with existing bilateral commitments. “This step is consistent with the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on May 21, 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on Jan 1 and July 1, respectively,” the spokesman added. India said it shared information about 391 civilian prisoners and 33 fishermen in its custody who are Pakistani or believed to be Pakistani. The two sides also exchanged lists of nuclear installations and facilities that cannot be attacked in the event of hostilities, under a separate agreement aimed at reducing the risk of escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbours. “Also, on Jan 1, Pakistan and India exchange the lists of their respective nuclear installations pursuant to the Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities between Pakistan and India,” Mr Andrabi said. **Dulhasti power project** The Foreign Office also urged India to respond to formal queries raised by its Indus Waters Commissioner over India’s proposed Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project, saying New Delhi failed to share prior information as required under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Mr Andrabi said Pakistan had not been notified in advance about the project, describing the omission as a breach of international obligations. “No prior information or notification was shared with Pakistan with regard to this project (Dulhasti State-II Hydroelectric Project) as mandated under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960,” he said. “Such acts of commission and omission yet again exemplify a complete disregard of international law.” The Dulhasti hydropower project is located on the Chenab River in the disputed region of India-held Jammu and Kashmir. Its original 390-megawatt, run-of-the-river Stage I plant was commissioned in 2007 and operated for years without major objections from Pakistan. However, concerns have surfaced following India’s approval last month of a 260MW Stage II extension. Mr Andrabi said Pakistan’s Indus Waters Commissioner has formally sought details from his Indian counterpart. Calling for immediate engagement, Mr Andrabi said: “We therefore call upon India to urgently return to treaty compliance and respond to the queries raised by our Indus Waters Commissioner in his latest as well as earlier communications.” He also stressed that Pakistan considers the treaty legally binding despite India’s position. _Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2026_

The water level in the Chenab River may rise by around 2 to 3 metres from Sunday evening as NHPC's Dulhasti Power Station has scheduled mandatory periodic silt flushing.

A panel under the Union Ministry of Environment has approved the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab river in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. The clearance comes amid India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan since April 2025. According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Expert Appraisal […]

India's Dulhasti Stage-II project raises concerns over water security, transparency, and Indus Basin stability.

India's Dulhasti Stage-II project raises concerns over water security, transparency, and Indus Basin stability.

• Environment ministry okays ‘run-of-the-river’ Dulhasti Stage II, to be built in held Kashmir • Indian govt forging ahead with several hydel projects in Indus basin after unilaterally suspending treaty • Water weaponisation in climate change-prone region ‘neither sane nor acceptable’, warns Sherry Rehman NEW DELHI / ISLAMABAD: India’s Ministry of Environment has been pondering clearances for a slew of controversial hydroelectric projects on the Chenab River in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident earlier this year. Yet, it does not seem to share serious apprehensions that leading environmentalists have expressed over their threat to a fragile Himalayan ecology. Last week, a panel under the ministry approved the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district of India-held Jammu and Kashmir, according to _The Hindu_. Earlier, in October, it was reported that environmental clearances were revived for the larger Sawalkote hydro-electric project on the same river. The clearances came against the backdrop of India unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after blaming Pakistan over the Pahalgam incident — an allegation Islamabad had denied, terming the suspension of the 1960 treaty “an act of war”. Earlier this month, Pakistan’s Foreign Office had sounded the alarm on New Delhi’s “weaponisation of water” following abrupt variations in the flow of the Chenab and Jhelum rivers, which caused consternation among farmers in Punjab. At the time, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had noted that the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) had also reaffirmed the continued validity of the treaty and its dispute-resolution mechanisms. In addition, he cited concerns expressed by UN rapporteurs over India’s actions in connection with the treaty. **The projects** The Sawalkote project has been in the works for decades, and has faced numerous delays related to forest clearances and the compliance compulsions of the Indus Waters Treaty. As of now, the 1,856MW project is still said to be in the pre-construction stage. Its environment clearances have been reheated several times over. The Dulhasti Stage II is a 258MW project, conceived as a complementary run-of-the-river scheme to utilise the water discharged from the existing 390MW Dulhasti Power Station “more efficiently”. It is a smaller component of the frequently discussed Chenab basin projects. It is expected to cost around $35 million. According to The Hindu, “With the treaty now in abeyance, the centre is pushing ahead with several hydroelectric projects in the Indus basin, such as Sawalkote, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai I and II.” The total land requirement for the project is estimated at 60.3 hectares. This project will require 8.27 hectares of private land from two villages, Benzwar and Palmar, in Kishtwar district, The Hindu reported. **Environmental concerns** The question environmentalists are posing focuses greatly on a primary concern related to climate change. Water bodies are drying up rapidly. Chenab forms at the confluence of Chandra and Bhaga rivers in Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. According to the Indus Waters Treaty, Chenab is a Western River, allocated to Pakistan. India is permitted limited consumption use and unlimited non-consumption use of Chenab. From the treaty’s signing up to the year 2004-05, studies estimate that glacial volume in the Chenab basin has reduced by a whopping 33.3pc. This is what the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People NGO says: “For a river whose flows are made up of 50% meltwater when it leaves India at Akhnoor, this is shocking for both India and Pakistan”. “Glaciers, the water stored in them, the slow release of this water in spring and summers is the key to water security of the entire Himalayan region. Sixty per cent irrigation in the entire Indus basin depends on glacial melt. As the glaciers are concentrated in the Indian Himalayas, their health and sustenance is crucial for millions in both countries.” In the Hindu mythology, the River Saraswati, which is said to have made up a troika with the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, disappeared in ancient times. In the real world, many more rivers and water bodies face a similar fate. Chenab is among them. **Sherry expresses alarm** While there was no immediate reaction from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, former climate change minister Senator Sherry Rehman protested against this weaponisation of water, saying that it was “neither sane nor acceptable”. In a post on X, the PPP leader wrote, “In flagrant violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), India has just given approval to the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K). “As per the IWT, which cannot be unilaterally revoked, as recent UN rapporteurs have confirmed, Pakistan has control over the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers fall under India’s control,” she said. > “Following the illegal suspension of the treaty, India has decided to fast-track several disputed hydroelectric projects in the Indus Basin. These projects include Sawalkot, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai-1 and 2. Dulhasti Stage-II is considered part of this strategy,” she said. “This weaponisation of water is neither sane nor acceptable in a region on the frontlines of climate change and environmental stress. It will inflame tensions in a bilateral relationship already bristling with hostility and distrust,” she said. _Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2025_

Senator Sherry Rehman on Monday said that the “weaponisation of water was neither sane nor acceptable” after Indian media reported that New Delhi had approved a hydel power project on the Chenab River. In a post on the social media platform X, the PPP leader said, “In flagrant violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), India has just given approval to the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K). “As per the IWT, which cannot be unilaterally revoked, as recent UN rapporteurs have confirmed, Pakistan has control over the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab rivers, while the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers fall under India’s control,” she said. > “Following the illegal suspension of the treaty, India has decided to fast-track several disputed hydroelectric projects in the Indus Basin. These projects include Sawalkot, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai-1 and 2. Dulhasti Stage-II is considered part of this strategy,” she said. “This weaponisation of water is neither sane nor acceptable in a region on the frontlines of climate change and environmental stress. It will inflame tensions in a bilateral relationship already bristling with hostility and distrust,” she said. According to the _Times of India_, a panel of the Indian environment ministry has approved the Dulhasti State-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar district of occupied Kashmir. The report said that the 260MW project comes two months after the approval of the 1,856MW Sawalkot hydroelectric project on the same river. It said that both the projects aimed to “harness the potential of the Chenab”. A similar report was also carried by _The Hindu_, which added, “With the IWT now in abeyance, the centre is pushing ahead with several hydroelectric projects in the Indus basin, such as Sawalkote, Ratle, Bursar, Pakal Dul, Kwar, Kiru, and Kirthai I and II.” The development comes days after United Nations experts expressed concern that India’s “unlawful use of force” on Pakistan’s territory in response to the April 22 Paha­lgam attack in occupied Kashmir appe­ared to have “violated the rights to life and security of person”. This observation by UN special rapporteurs was made in a correspondence dated Oct 16, which was made public on Dec 15. In April, India had held the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the _attack_ on tourists in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 — an incident New Delhi _blamed_ on Islamabad without evidence. Pakistan termed any attempt to suspend its water share under the treaty an _“act of war”_, noting the treaty had no provision for unilateral suspension. In June, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) — an organisation that provides a framework for international disputes — _issued_ a Supplemental Award of Competence, stating that India cannot unilaterally hold the treaty in abeyance. The five UN experts, who compiled the correspondence, also observed that New Delhi’s actions “may be taken to disrupt the flow of water to Pakistan” under the IWT. Meanwhile, earlier this month, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi had stated that a letter had been written to India seeking clarification about the “abrupt variation” in the flow of the Chenab River, with the situation badly affecting wheat and other crops being fed through the Marala-Ravi link and other canals in various parts of Punjab.

India's Dulhasti Stage-II project raises concerns over water security, transparency, and Indus Basin stability.

Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan in abeyance, india clears Dulhasti hydel project on Chenab.When the treaty was in force, Pakistan had rights over the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers, and India over the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej

India has cleared the 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab river, months after placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Planned as an extension of an existing NHPC project in Jammu and Kashmir, the move has prompted...

India is advancing its hydropower potential on the Chenab River with the approval of the 260 MW Dulhasti State-II project in Jammu & Kashmir. This strategic move, following the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, aims to harness the river's untapped capacity. The project, an extension of an exis… (Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

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NEW DELHI: NHPC has given its approval for investment to develop the 260-MW Dulhasti Stage-II Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Jammu and Kashmir. The project received environmental clearance in Jan this year. It is likely to cost around Rs 3,200 crore and may take 44 months to complete.In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Monday, minister of state for power Shripad Naik said the board of directors of NHPC Ltd had accorded investment approval for the project in Feb. The minister said private land was being acquired for the project as per law. Source link

HYDROPOWER BOOST: Lower Subhansari begins power generation; Nod given for 260 MW Dulhasti Stage-II on Chenab

Last Updated:January 02, 2026, 14:02 IST S Jaishankar Indus Water Treatment: Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has once again clarified India's stand on relations with Pakistan. Jaishankar said that you urge us to share water and then spread terrorism in our own country, this will not work. Without taking names, he called Pakistan a bad neighbour.

Life is affected due to heavy snowfall in the hilly states, while dense fog is wreaking havoc in the plains. An alert has been issued regarding cold wave and rain. On one hand, giving a strong message to Pakistan, India has approved the Rs 3200 crore Dulhasti-2 hydropower project on Chenab river. On the other hand, today everyone's eyes are on the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in Florida.

Chenab River Dulhasti Power Project: When Pakistan had carried out the massacre in Pahalgam through its trained terrorists, it had no idea that such a step would be taken by India which would make its situation worse. Millions and crores of Pakistanis will yearn for a drop of water. After the Pahalgam attack, India announced to put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on hold indefinitely.

New Delhi: With Indus Water (IWT) with Pakistan maintained in the section India moves forward to four key stem projects and reservoirs in Jammu & Kashmir, which aims to strengthen storage and energy capacity on the Chenab and Jhelum rivers. These projects include 930 MW Kirthai 2, Tulbul Barrage and Navigation Project, 240 MW URI 1 - Phase II and 2x130 Dulhasti Stage II.

Foreign Office spokesperson calls on India to respond to formal queries over proposed Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on Chenab River