Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has said that India’s ongoing and proposed water projects on the Indus River system are not only posing a challenge to the future of the Indus Water Treaty but are also raising new concerns regarding water security in the entire region.
Addressing an international seminar in Brussels, he said that water is a common natural resource that should not be used for pressure, political interests or regional dominance. He said that respect for international laws and agreements is the basis of sustainable peace and cooperation.
Ishaq Dar explained that the Indus Water Treaty was concluded in 1960 under the mediation of the World Bank and is considered one of the most successful international water agreements in the world. The agreement has survived several wars and political crises, but in recent years, pressure has increased on it.
He said that the dams, hydropower projects and water transfer projects being built by India on various rivers are a cause of concern for Pakistan. The number of these projects is being said to be at least 17, which may affect the flow and storage capacity of water in the future.
According to the Foreign Minister, Pakistan’s concern is not limited to statements but is based on ground realities and ongoing projects. He said that changes in the natural flow of water or unusual control over it can create instability in the region.
He stressed that respect for international norms, agreements and arbitration mechanisms is essential for the management of transboundary water resources. According to him, if states deviate from the principles agreed upon by mutual consent, the possibilities of disputes will increase.
Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan has always preferred diplomacy and the legal path. He reiterated that Islamabad will continue to use international forums and legal means to protect its water rights in the future as well.
He mentioned the growing impacts of climate change and said that South Asia is already facing challenges like water scarcity, melting glaciers and unpredictable weather patterns. In such a situation, the need for cooperation on water resources has increased more than ever.
Concluding his address, the Deputy Prime Minister called on the international community to play its role in ensuring respect for international agreements and equitable use of shared water resources so that water can become a source of cooperation and development, not conflict.
