Pakistan\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister has called on the international community to take urgent action against India over what Islamabad describes as material breaches of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that recent developments threaten regional peace and stability.<\/p>\n
Addressing the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, the Deputy Prime Minister said the briefing was called to highlight a situation \u201cthat threatens peace and stability in South Asia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pakistan highlighted India\u2019s unilateral abeyance of the IWT in April 2025, calling it a \u201cgross contravention of international law, especially Article 26 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.\u201d According to the Deputy Prime Minister, recent developments indicate escalating violations that strike at the heart of the treaty, with consequences for regional stability and the sanctity of international law.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have observed unusual, abrupt variations in the flow of River Chenab twice this year, during 30 April to 21 May 2025; and in the past week from 7 to 15 December 2025,\u201d he said. \u201cThese variations in water flow are of extreme concern for Pakistan, as they point to unilateral release of water by India into River Chenab.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pakistan said India has released water without prior notification or sharing required data with Pakistan, as mandated under the treaty. The Deputy Prime Minister noted that Pakistan\u2019s Indus Water Commissioner has formally written to his Indian counterpart seeking clarification, and further technical details would be shared by the Secretary of Water Resources present at the briefing.<\/p>\n
The minister described India\u2019s actions as \u201cweaponization of water,\u201d emphasizing that manipulation of water flows during critical agricultural periods threatens the lives, livelihoods, food, and economic security of Pakistani citizens.<\/p>\n
The Deputy Prime Minister urged India to respond to Pakistan\u2019s queries, refrain from unilateral manipulations, and fulfill all obligations under the IWT. He highlighted ongoing issues, including India\u2019s construction of hydropower projects such as Kishanganga and Ratle, which Pakistan says violate treaty specifications. He also cited illegal dam construction and refusal to share hydrological data, warning that these actions increase India\u2019s capacity to manipulate water and endanger Pakistan\u2019s population of 240 million.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch illegal and irresponsible Indian conduct has all the potential to trigger a humanitarian crisis in Pakistan,\u201d he said. He added that the ongoing water manipulation violates International Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law while obstructing progress on Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty and hunger.
\nPakistan warned that India\u2019s refusal to participate in the treaty\u2019s dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Court of Arbitration and Neutral Expert Proceedings, undermines the established arbitration process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Indus Waters Treaty is a binding legal instrument that has made an invaluable contribution to peace and stability in South Asia,\u201d he said. \u201cIts violation threatens the inviolability of international treaties, regional peace, principles of good neighborliness, and norms that govern inter-state relations.\u201d<\/p>\n
He cited the Permanent Court of Arbitration\u2019s rulings of June and August 2025, reaffirming the treaty\u2019s validity and binding dispute-resolution mechanisms, and called on the international community not to accept Indian impunity.<\/p>\n
Pakistan also referenced communications from UN Special Procedures and Mandate Holders to India, which raised legal, human rights, and humanitarian concerns over India\u2019s actions. Highlighting statements by India\u2019s Home Minister on 21 June 2025 declaring India would \u201cnever\u201d restore the treaty, Pakistan said any attempt to divert water under the IWT would be considered an \u201cAct of War\u201d by its National Security Committee.<\/p>\n
The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that disruption of water flows could severely affect human rights in Pakistan, including rights to work, livelihood, water, food, a clean environment, and development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe urge the international community, especially UN Security Council members, to take immediate steps to address this situation,\u201d he said. \u201cWater is life and cannot be weaponized.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pakistan maintains it is committed to peaceful resolution of disputes but will not compromise on the \u201cexistential water rights\u201d of its people, and called on global partners to pressure India to restore the IWT and uphold international law.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan\u2019s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister has called on the international community to take urgent action against India over what Islamabad describes as material breaches of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning that recent developments threaten regional peace and stability. Addressing the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, the Deputy Prime Minister said the briefing was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":65899,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30,16],"tags":[103],"ppma_author":[213],"class_list":{"0":"post-69779","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-latest","8":"category-pakistan","9":"tag-top-stories"},"yoast_head":"\n