Pakistan has expressed concern over the frequent unusual changes in the flow of water in the Chenab River and urged India to reactivate the exchange of information and technical communication established between the two countries under the Indus Waters Treaty so that water-related concerns can be addressed in a timely manner.
Addressing a seminar on the legal and constitutional aspects of the Indus Waters Treaty in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Muhammad Mehr Ali Shah said that since April last year, several official letters have been sent to India seeking an explanation for the sudden changes in the flow of the Chenab River, but no response has been received so far.
He said that the latest letter has also been sent after significant fluctuations in the flow of the Chenab River in recent days, as such incidents are not only technical in nature but can also affect Pakistan’s water management, agricultural planning and river system.
He explained that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 was not just a river-sharing agreement but also established a permanent system for sharing water flow data, project information, joint inspections and dispute resolution between the two countries. According to him, the aim of this system is to find solutions to problems at a technical level before any potential conflict arises.
Syed Muhammad Mehr Ali Shah said that Pakistan has fulfilled its responsibilities by adhering to all relevant provisions of the agreement. The required hydrological data, correspondence, meeting requests, project information and proposals for joint inspections were continuously sent by Pakistan, but there was no substantial cooperation from the Indian authorities.
He stressed that timely information on river flow is of utmost importance for any low-lying country. If information on water discharge or storage is not available in a timely manner, proper planning regarding floods, water scarcity or agricultural needs can be affected, the effects of which reach millions of people.
The Indus Waters Commissioner also clarified that Pakistan is not opposed to hydropower projects built in accordance with legal requirements in principle, however, such projects that lack transparency, compliance with the agreement and exchange of information can affect the trust between the two countries.
Referring to some of India’s proposed water projects, he said that if work is done on multiple projects simultaneously while the coordination mechanism established under the Indus Waters Treaty is not effective, it may affect the spirit of the treaty. According to him, only discussions and consultations at the technical level on such issues can provide a lasting solution.
Syed Muhammad Mehr Ali Shah demanded that the Indus Water Commission meeting be held at the earliest, the series of joint inspections be restored and data sharing between the two countries be resumed so that misunderstandings can be reduced and effective implementation of the treaty can be ensured.
Addressing the seminar, Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the Indus River system is a fundamental part of Pakistan’s economy, agriculture and the lives of millions of citizens. According to him, the Indus Waters Treaty has been an important example of water cooperation in South Asia for decades and its respect is essential for the stability of the region.
He said that Pakistan supports the implementation of international agreements, dialogue and cooperation and is of the view that such agreements cannot be suspended or changed unilaterally. He said that in the context of current climate change, increasing water needs and increasing water pressure in the region, cooperation between the two countries has become more important than ever.
Experts also say that water is becoming the most important challenge of the future in South Asia. In such circumstances, the institutional system established under the Indus Waters Treaty, continuous communication, transparent information exchange and technical cooperation can not only reduce potential conflicts but also promote sustainable and responsible use of water in the region.