Pakistan, Sept. 13 -- The Indus Waters Treaty ruling has been described as a diplomatic victory for Pakistan by China's leading newspaper, the South China Morning Post. The publication said the international tribunal's decision delivered an unexpected setback to India while strengthening Pakistan's position in the long-running water dispute. The ruling has added further weight to Islamabad's stance on the treaty's continued implementation.

The newspaper noted that the Indus Waters Treaty survived decades of tensions and wars between Pakistan and India. It reported that the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled on August 31 that India had no legal basis to suspend the treaty. The tribunal also imposed restrictions on aspects of the Ratle H...