UNITED NATIONS — Pakistan has warned at the United Nations against the “weaponisation of water,” calling it a threat to regional stability, economic security, and the livelihoods of millions, while strongly criticizing India’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty.
Speaking at a high-level event marking World Water Day, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik said the politicisation of water resources amounted to an attack on Pakistan’s social and economic fabric, Radio Pakistan reported.
Treaty Under Threat
Malik described India’s move to place the treaty in abeyance as “deeply concerning,” terming it unilateral, unjustified, and in violation of a longstanding cooperative framework.
“Such actions undermine not only agreements but also regional stability,” the minister said, warning that turning water into a geopolitical tool could have far-reaching consequences.
Pakistan’s Right of Reply
In a right of reply at the same forum, Second Secretary Aleena Majeed rejected what she called “baseless remarks” by the Indian representative and defended the legal standing of the treaty.
She noted that the agreement, signed in 1960, had endured wars, crises, and prolonged political tensions—including the dispute over Jammu and Kashmir—and remained a cornerstone of water-sharing between the two countries.
Majeed said India’s unilateral move to hold the treaty in abeyance last year marked a “grave departure” from its legal and historical foundations.
“No provision of the treaty permits unilateral suspension or modification,” she said, adding that such actions amounted to the weaponisation of water for narrow political gains and jeopardized the lifelines of millions.
Court of Arbitration Ruling
Referring to a 2025 supplemental award by the Court of Arbitration, Majeed said the ruling affirmed that the treaty remains in force, its dispute-resolution mechanisms are binding, and no party has the authority to render it inoperative.
“India must revert immediately to full and complete implementation of the treaty,” she said.
Rejection of Allegations
Majeed also rejected India’s allegations related to terrorism, calling them unfounded and accusing New Delhi of attempting to deflect attention from its own record.
She further alleged that India had been involved in cross-border destabilization and cited what she described as evidence of support for militant groups targeting Pakistan.
Reiterating Islamabad’s position, she said Pakistan remains committed to international law and the faithful implementation of treaty obligations, while firmly opposing any attempt to use water as a political instrument.
Economic Vulnerability
Separately, Malik highlighted Pakistan’s economic vulnerability to water insecurity, noting that agriculture contributes around 25–30 percent to GDP and supports nearly half of the workforce.
He added that more than 61 percent of women’s employment is linked to agriculture, underscoring the connection between water access, livelihoods, and gender equity.
Climate Impact
The minister also pointed to the human cost of climate-related disasters, saying that recent floods had killed thousands, injured many more, and displaced millions, further intensifying pressure on already fragile water systems.
He stressed that cooperative water management frameworks must be preserved, warning that their erosion risks escalating tensions in an already volatile region.
Background
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation, allocates the waters of six rivers between India and Pakistan. India has control over the eastern rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—while Pakistan has rights to the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.
The treaty has survived three wars and decades of strained relations, but India’s 2025 decision to place it in abeyance has raised concerns about the future of one of the world’s most enduring water-sharing agreements.
