Prime Minister publicly criticizes the suspension decision made regarding the Integrated Waste Management plant in New Delhi.
In the Heart of the Subcontinent: Pakistan's Unyielding Defense Against India's Water Sabotage
In the midst of simmering regional tensions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday delivered a stern rebuke to India's audacious move to unilaterally halt the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). In a robust display of resolve, he branded this abrupt decision as a flagrant violation and an aggressive act of water warfare.
The meeting, attended by top political and military brass, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Field Marshal Gen Asim Munir, federal ministers, the chief ministers of all provinces, the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, and senior officials from federal and provincial governments, was a clarion call to arms.
Declaring this a "battle of justice," Sharif condemned India's manipulation of the water supply system and insisted that the 1960 IWT, a binding international agreement, does not accommodate such unilateral actions. He dismissed India's justifications as politically and legally untenable. Addressing the nation's mounting anxiety, he emphasized the unity of the political leadership as a testament to Pakistan's collective will to safeguard its water security.
Sharif, in response to the crisis, immediately ordered the establishment of a high-level committee headed by Ishaq Dar. The committee's responsibilities stem from developing funding strategies for new dam projects, involving representatives from all provinces, AJK, and relevant federal ministries, and submitting recommendations within a grueling 72-hour deadline.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Sharif prioritized the construction of non-controversial reservoirs, asserting that where consensus prevails, swift action is essential. He underscored the political neutrality of these dam projects, emphasizing their critical role in the nation's survival.
This escalating dispute between Pakistan and India over water rights has garnered international attention. In recent months, Pakistan's Water Resources Secretary, Syed Ali Murtaza, has penned four letters to India's Jal Shakti Ministry, voicing concerns over the potential water crisis in Pakistan and emphasizing the treaty's significance for the country's agriculture and electricity generation.
India, however, remains steadfast in its position, vowing to reconsider the treaty's reinstatement only when Pakistan commits to halting cross-border terrorism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to leverage water resources for India's benefit, signaling a shift in India's water management strategy.
In a bold move, Pakistan may challenge India's suspension of the treaty at international forums, citing breaches of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. This move could ignite further debate and potentially draw the United Nations Security Council into the fray.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Insight:
- The ongoing dispute over the Indus Waters Treaty between Pakistan and India centers around India's decision to unilaterally halt the treaty in April 2025 following a terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians. Pakistan has raised concerns over the potential water crisis in Pakistan and emphasized the treaty's importance for the country's agriculture and electricity generation. India maintains its stance that it will not resume discussions until Pakistan halts cross-border terrorism. Pakistan may challenge India's suspension of the treaty at international forums, potentially escalating tensions.
The ongoing water dispute between Pakistan and India, a hot topic in general news, has prompted discussions in various domains of politics, including policy-and-legislation and war-and-conflicts. To address this issue, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has established a high-level committee to develop funding strategies for new dam projects and submit recommendations within a short deadline. Meanwhile, India's stance on the treaty involves a shift in its crime-and-justice policy, conditioning the reinstatement of the treaty on Pakistan's commitment to halting cross-border terrorism. The unsettled situation has generated widespread international interest, with Pakistan potentially questioning India's actions at international forums, potentially leading to further sports-betting on the outcome of the dispute.
