Pakistan has strongly cautioned India over its unilateral attempt to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance. Officials warned that this move poses a grave threat to Pakistan’s water security, South Asian peace, and the credibility of global agreements.
Pakistan’s Call at UN Event
At a high-level event co-hosted by Pakistan’s Mission to the United Nations and the Muslim American Leadership Alliance (MALA), Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, delivered a keynote address titled “Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan’s Water Crisis: Challenges and the Way Forward.”
He described water security as an existential issue for Pakistan, stressing that nearly 80% of cultivated land depends on the Indus River system. He condemned India’s suspension attempt as a serious breach of international law, noting that recent Permanent Court of Arbitration rulings reaffirmed the Treaty’s continuing validity.
Humanitarian and Security Risks
Ambassador Ahmad warned that undermining the Treaty could transform natural disasters into humanitarian crises. Referring to Pakistan’s recent floods, he pointed out that India’s failure to share critical water data worsened the devastation.
“Water must never be weaponised. To politicise it is to deny people their most fundamental right,” he said, urging international stakeholders to uphold treaty obligations.
Global Responsibility and Cooperative Solutions
Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Usman Jadoon emphasised that safeguarding the Treaty requires collective global action. He urged the UN, the World Bank, and civil society to help reinforce implementation, facilitate dialogue, and support cooperative solutions.
Speakers agreed that weakening the IWT not only endangers South Asia’s stability but also sets a dangerous precedent for other regions dependent on shared rivers.
Pakistan’s Reaffirmed Commitment
Ambassador Ahmad reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it more than a legal framework. “It is a lifeline for millions and a guarantor of regional stability,” he said, urging the international community to stand with Pakistan in defending international law and peace.
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