Pakistan reaffirms commitment to Indus Waters Treaty, vows to protect water rights
- Pakistan says the Indus Waters Treaty is a lifeline for 240 million people and essential for regional peace.
- Government warns against any attempt to block or divert Pakistan’s share of water under the treaty.
- Speakers at an international seminar urge respect for international law and reject the use of water as a political weapon.
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Tuesday reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), describing the decades-old agreement as a lifeline for the country’s 240 million people and a cornerstone of peace, stability and cooperation in South Asia.
پاکستان کیلئے پانی صرف ایک قدرتی وسیلہ نہیں بلکہ زندگی کا مسئلہ ہے ، عطا تارڑ
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The government’s stance was presented during an international seminar titled “Indus Waters Treaty: A Key Instrument of Peace and Regional Stability” held at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.
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The event brought together Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik, Indus Waters Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah, Minister of State Khurram Dastgir Khan, international law expert Ahmer Bilal Soofi, foreign delegates and water experts.
Addressing the seminar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the Indus Waters Treaty is not merely a water-sharing agreement but a lifeline for millions of Pakistanis whose lives, agriculture and economy depend on the Indus River system.
He said the Indus Valley Civilization forms a vital part of Pakistan’s identity, adding that the country’s history has long been intertwined with the Indus River. According to Tarar, agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, making water security essential for the country’s future.
The minister noted that Pakistan and India reached an extraordinary agreement more than six decades ago by signing one of the world’s most enduring water-sharing treaties. He said Pakistan has consistently remained committed to peaceful relations, constructive dialogue and faithful implementation of the agreement.
Referring to India’s decision to suspend the treaty, Tarar said Pakistan remains determined to ensure the agreement continues to remain in force. He stressed that respect for international treaties is fundamental to trust between nations and global stability.
He warned that any attempt to stop Pakistan’s water would receive an appropriate response from the country’s leadership and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protecting the treaty under all circumstances. Tarar also said water should remain a source of cooperation rather than conflict, warning that its weaponisation would threaten both regional and global peace.
پانی کی عدم دستیابی سے صرف پاکستانی ہی نہیں بلکہ بنگلا دیشی لوگ بھی متاثر ہو رہے ہیں ، مصدق ملک
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Indus Waters Commissioner Syed Mehr Ali Shah described the treaty as far more than a legal document, saying it safeguards Pakistan’s agriculture, food security and economy. He noted that the agreement was designed to reduce tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbours and includes a comprehensive dispute resolution mechanism under its 12 articles.
He explained that disputes unresolved through bilateral engagement can be referred to a neutral expert or the Court of Arbitration under Article IX. Pakistan, he said, has twice challenged disputed Indian hydropower projects through international arbitration.
According to Shah, the Court of Arbitration has ruled that India cannot unilaterally suspend or terminate the treaty and has also directed that the natural flow of the western rivers should not be obstructed.
He maintained that India’s unilateral suspension of the agreement violates its treaty obligations and claimed New Delhi has not been fully implementing the agreement since August 2023. He emphasised that timely exchange of river flow data is mandatory under the treaty, particularly for Pakistan as the lower riparian state.
Shah revealed that Pakistan had once again written to India requesting hydrological data, warning that failure to share such information could affect millions of people. He also alleged that India intends to divert the Chenab River’s flow and said Pakistan would not allow any diversion of its allocated water share.
The commissioner further termed the proposed Chenab-Beas Link illegal, saying the treaty does not permit diversion of Chenab waters into the Beas River. He added that India is obligated under the agreement to allow Pakistan to inspect such projects.
He said Pakistan has already raised alleged treaty violations before the United Nations, reiterating that water is intrinsically linked to human life and must never be used as a weapon.
Climate Change Minister Dr Musadik Malik said Pakistan’s primary concern is not water scarcity but the control of water flows, arguing that manipulating river flows effectively amounts to using water as a weapon.
He said irregular releases have severely affected farmers, forcing many to abandon agriculture, while the consequences of disrupted river systems extend beyond Pakistan and impact neighbouring Bangladesh as well.
Malik pointed to fluctuating water levels at Marala Headworks, saying extremely low flows one day followed by flood-like releases the next illustrate that the issue is one of justice rather than environmental management.
He criticised India over its handling of river flows and said the core issue remains the strategic use of water through upstream control. Describing the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty as one of the strongest international agreements, Malik noted that it survived three wars between Pakistan and India.
He said any failure to uphold such an agreement would weaken confidence in international treaties worldwide. Referring to proceedings before the Court of Arbitration, Malik said the court has ruled that the treaty cannot be suspended unilaterally and that river flows allocated to Pakistan cannot be diverted.
The minister also claimed the court ruled India cannot construct water storage projects on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the treaty, adding that failure to implement such decisions would set a dangerous precedent for lower riparian states around the world.
He stressed that Pakistan’s concerns are rooted in justice and the protection of livelihoods, reiterating that agriculture remains central to the country’s economy and that Pakistan will not compromise on its share of water.
Minister of State Khurram Dastgir Khan said Pakistan would defend both its water rights and its civilisational heritage at all costs, accusing India of using water as a weapon in violation of the treaty.
He alleged that India has kept the agreement in abeyance since April 2025 and has repeatedly released large volumes of water into eastern rivers without prior notification, affecting millions of people in Pakistan. He also claimed India has withheld water before releasing it in flood-like conditions, causing damage downstream.
Dastgir described access to water as a fundamental human right and said the Court of Arbitration has made it clear that the treaty cannot be suspended unilaterally. He argued that depriving populations of water and food violates international humanitarian principles and urged the international community to prevent the weaponisation of water.
International law expert Ahmer Bilal Soofi said India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has no legal basis under international law. He stressed that access to water, clean air and food is recognised globally as a fundamental human necessity.
Soofi argued that India was attempting to link the treaty with unrelated political issues. Referring to the Pahalgam incident, he said international law required India to seek Pakistan’s cooperation in any investigation and share relevant information through legal channels.
He also noted that the status of Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised dispute and said Pakistan has already raised India’s suspension of the treaty before the United Nations. According to Soofi, the move is also inconsistent with the UN Charter.
He called for greater dialogue between legal experts from both countries and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to resolving disputes through international law.
Russian international affairs expert Dr Roxolana Zygon also addressed the seminar, expressing concern over India’s position on the treaty. She warned that using water as a political tool could undermine regional stability and increase tensions over shared water resources.
Dr Zygon said the treaty remains the foundation for equitable water distribution in the region and contains no provision allowing either country to withdraw from or suspend it unilaterally. She added that cooperation over shared water resources is essential for lasting peace and noted that Pakistan’s 21 major hydropower projects depend on the Indus River system, making the treaty critical for the country’s energy security and economic development.
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