Pakistan has said the dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is no longer merely a bilateral issue with India but a broader international matter involving justice, fundamental human rights, and the protection of downstream countries’ access to water.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik said Pakistan was presenting its case before international forums, including the United Nations and arbitration bodies, where it believes its legal position has received recognition.
According to Malik, the debate extends beyond regional politics and raises broader questions about whether countries located downstream have an internationally protected right to receive uninterrupted river flows.
Water Security Linked to Pakistan’s Economy
Highlighting the significance of water resources for Pakistan, Malik said the country’s economy and food security are closely tied to the availability of water.
He noted that between 40% and 50% of Pakistan’s population depends on agriculture for employment, while the agricultural sector contributes roughly 20% to 25% of the national economy.
“Our food security, our economy, and the livelihoods of millions are linked to this water,” he said, arguing that decisions affecting river flows should not depend on another country’s political choices.
Malik further warned that allowing upstream countries to stop or manipulate transboundary river flows could set a precedent with far-reaching consequences for river systems around the world.
Upcoming Seminar to Focus on Water Rights
The climate minister said an upcoming international seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty would focus not only on the treaty itself but also on broader issues of justice, international law, and the rights of downstream populations.
He described the event as an opportunity to examine whether communities living downstream across the world have a fundamental right to reliable access to shared water resources.
According to Malik, the conference aims to broaden the discussion from a regional dispute to a global conversation about equitable management of transboundary rivers.
Concerns Over Hydropower Projects
Malik also reiterated Pakistan’s concerns regarding run-of-the-river hydropower projects, saying previous technical discussions had focused on whether such projects could temporarily retain enough water during critical agricultural periods to affect downstream farming.
He said international decisions had already acknowledged that water storage associated with these projects must remain within defined engineering limits and cannot be expanded without restriction.
India Cannot Unilaterally Suspend Indus Waters Treaty: PM Shehbaz
While noting that water cannot be withheld indefinitely, Malik argued that even temporary disruptions in river flows during key cropping seasons could have significant consequences for agricultural production.
Pakistan Urged to Improve Water Management
Alongside raising international concerns, Malik stressed that Pakistan also has a responsibility to strengthen its domestic water management system.
He called for expanding the country’s water storage capacity and improving the regulation of seasonal river flows to ensure farmers receive water when it is needed most.
“The purpose of dams is not merely storage,” he said. “Their purpose is to regulate water so that farmers receive it when crops actually need it.”
Information Minister Reaffirms Pakistan’s Position
Addressing the same press conference, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar maintained that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be suspended unilaterally, emphasizing that it remains a formally recognized agreement between Pakistan and India.
Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have consistently described water security as an issue of national survival for Pakistan.
He added that water experts from around the world are expected to participate in the upcoming seminar, describing it as the first international event of its kind dedicated to the treaty. According to Tarar, the international community has increasingly recognized Pakistan’s position on the Indus Waters Treaty, underscoring the importance of continued dialogue and adherence to international agreements governing shared water resources.
