Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said Pakistan is fully prepared to respond if any attempt is made to stop the country’s water supply, emphasizing that the government will safeguard the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) under all circumstances.
Speaking at an international seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty in Islamabad, Tarar described the agreement as one of the world’s most enduring and successful water-sharing arrangements. He said Pakistan remains committed to preserving the treaty and believes that using water as a political or strategic tool threatens not only regional stability but also international peace.
“We are not merely discussing a treaty, but the lifeline of 240 million people,” the minister said, stressing that water security is directly linked to Pakistan’s economic stability, food production, and national survival.
Water Security Linked to Agriculture and Economy
Tarar noted that Pakistan’s history and economy are deeply connected with the Indus River system, which supports the country’s agricultural sector.
He said agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, making uninterrupted access to river water essential for food security and the livelihoods of millions of people.
The minister added that Pakistan has consistently supported peaceful dialogue and the implementation of international agreements. According to him, the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 through mutual consent between Pakistan and India, can only be amended through agreement between both parties.
He also argued that any unilateral action affecting the treaty runs contrary to its agreed framework.
Background of the Current Dispute
The latest remarks come amid continuing differences between Pakistan and India over the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty.
According to the report, India placed the treaty in abeyance following the killing of 26 people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in April 2025. New Delhi alleged Pakistani involvement in the attack, while Pakistan rejected the accusation.
The dispute has since become a central issue in bilateral relations, with Pakistan maintaining that the treaty remains legally binding under international law.
Pakistan Raises Concerns Over Chenab River
Addressing the seminar, Pakistan’s Commissioner for the Indus Waters Treaty, Syed Mehr Ali Shah, said India has not fully complied with certain treaty obligations since August 2023.
He stated that Pakistan recently sent a formal communication requesting the sharing of hydrological data as required under the agreement.
Pakistan Calls Indus Waters Treaty Dispute a Global Test of Water Rights and International Justice
According to Shah, Pakistan has also raised concerns regarding India’s reported diversion of water from the Chenab River. He said such actions could affect downstream river flows and argued that, under the treaty, India is not permitted to divert Chenab waters into the Beas River through projects that fall outside the agreed provisions.
He further said Pakistan has sought inspection rights under the treaty for the relevant infrastructure.
International Expert Highlights Legal Concerns
Speaking at the seminar, Russian water policy expert Dr. Roxolana Zigon said that any attempt to deny Pakistan its share of water would be inconsistent with established principles of international law governing shared watercourses.
She described the Indus Waters Treaty as one of the world’s most successful examples of transboundary water cooperation, noting that it has remained in force for more than six decades despite periods of political and military tension between the two countries.
Dr. Zigon observed that the treaty does not contain provisions allowing unilateral withdrawal and stressed the importance of preserving existing dispute-resolution mechanisms, including the Permanent Indus Commission.
She also highlighted the significance of the Indus basin for Pakistan, noting that more than 90% of the country’s agriculture depends on river water and that 21 major hydropower projects are linked to the Indus river system.
Importance of Preserving the Treaty
Participants at the seminar emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty extends beyond a bilateral agreement and represents an internationally recognized framework for managing shared water resources.
They stressed that maintaining the treaty and resolving differences through dialogue and established legal mechanisms remains essential for regional stability, sustainable water management, and the protection of millions of people who depend on the Indus River system for agriculture, energy production, and daily life.
