It was a notably productive Sunday for Islamabad’s diplomatic apparatus. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke by phone with Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al Thani, receiving what Pakistan described as a “strong endorsement and support of Pakistan-led peace efforts aimed at de-escalation and promoting regional peace and stability.” The two leaders discussed the evolving regional situation, with PM Shehbaz expressing gratitude for Qatar’s “constructive role” [9].
Separately, Pakistan celebrated a supplemental award issued on May 15 by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the long-running Indus Waters Treaty dispute with India. Islamabad hailed the ruling as affirming “substantive limits on India’s water-control capability” on the western rivers of the Indus system, specifically regarding pondage — the maximum volume of water that can be stored — at the Ratle and Kishenganga hydroelectric projects in occupied Kashmir. Pakistan expressed “utmost satisfaction” with the decision [25].
