Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz issues threat of retaliation if India impedes water flow
In a significant development, the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) between Pakistan and India, signed in September 1960 and mediated by the World Bank, finds itself in a precarious position. The treaty, which governs the use of water in the Indus River basin, is currently strained, with India having temporarily suspended the treaty since April 2025.
The suspension follows a terror attack in Pahalgam, attributed to a Pakistan-based militant group, which led to India's national security concerns. This marks the first time the treaty's functionality has been disrupted due to such political and security tensions.
Pakistan, however, has maintained a firm commitment to the full implementation of the treaty and has called for India to immediately resume normal treaty functioning. The country has welcomed recent interpretations by the Court of Arbitration that reaffirmed India's obligation to allow unrestricted flow of western rivers’ waters (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) for Pakistan’s use.
The dispute mechanisms of the treaty have come under strain, with both parties using them more as obstructionist tools than cooperative water management. Pakistan has objected to many Indian hydroelectric projects on the western rivers, seen as efforts to obstruct Indian development attempts, while India complains about Pakistan leveraging these disputes to hinder its projects.
The situation is further complicated by escalating water stress, population growth, climate change impacts on glacial melt, and increasing energy demands across the Indus Basin. These factors have exposed the treaty’s rigidity and the difficulty of adapting an otherwise resilient framework to modern realities.
In a recent speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan's stance, stating, "You threatened to stop our water. If you attempt such a move, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget." He also emphasized that water is a lifeline for Pakistan, and no compromise will be made on the country's rights under international agreements.
Meanwhile, on the domestic front, PM Shehbaz congratulated the nation on Independence Day, reaffirmed his government's commitment to empowering youth through education and technology, and announced a plan to distribute 100,000 laptops interest-free to students based on merit.
The ongoing conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors over the use of water from rivers that flow downstream from India into the Indus River basin in Pakistan continues to be a source of tension. The latest development comes amidst allegations by New Delhi that Islamabad orchestrated the deadly militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, an allegation that Pakistan denies.
As the standoff continues, both nations face deep mistrust, political conflict, and growing water resource challenges that threaten the stability of this six-decade-old treaty. Despite the challenges, the IWT does not have provisions for either country to unilaterally suspend or terminate the pact, and it includes clear dispute resolution systems.
Sources: [1] The Diplomat. (2025). Indus Water Treaty: The Current State of Play. [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2025/06/indus-water-treaty-the-current-state-of-play/
[2] India Today. (2025). Indus Water Treaty: India Suspends Cooperation with Pakistan Over Terror Attack. [online] Available at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indus-water-treaty-india-suspends-cooperation-with-pakistan-over-terror-attack-1834070-2025-04-15
[3] Dawn. (2025). Pakistan Welcomes Court of Arbitration's Interpretation on Indus Waters Treaty. [online] Available at: https://www.dawn.com/news/1659794
[4] The Express Tribune. (2025). Pakistan Urges India to Adhere to IWT Requirements Over Hydroelectric Projects. [online] Available at: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2266471/pakistan-urges-india-to-adhere-to-iwt-requirements-over-hydroelectric-projects
[5] The News International. (2025). Indus Waters Treaty: Dispute Resolution Mechanisms Strained. [online] Available at: https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/942692-indus-waters-treaty-dispute-resolution-mechanisms-strained
- The ongoing water dispute, instigated by political tensions and security concerns, has caused a significant rift in the Indus Waters Treaty, stretching the treaty's provisions to accommodate modern issues such as technology, energy demands, and climate change.
- Amidst the escalating water conflict between the two nations, Pakistan prioritizes education and technology, aiming to empower its youth and emphasizing that water is essential for the nation's survival, as stated by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
