President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday urged India to immediately restore the full implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), warning against what he termed the “weaponisation” of shared water resources.
In his message on World Water Day, the president condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty, stating that such actions undermine international obligations and longstanding agreements governing the equitable sharing of river waters between the two countries.
Zardari said India’s move to place the treaty in abeyance, disrupt hydrological data-sharing, and impede agreed mechanisms threatens both the “letter and spirit” of the decades-old agreement.
He warned that the situation poses serious risks to food and economic security, jeopardising the livelihoods of millions who depend on the Indus river system. He further cautioned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for the management of transboundary water resources under international law.
Highlighting the theme of World Water Day, the president also drew attention to water insecurity and its disproportionate impact on women and girls, particularly in areas where access to safe water remains limited.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered in 1960, governs the sharing of rivers between Pakistan and India and is considered one of the most significant water-sharing agreements between the two countries.
The president reiterated that access to safe water is a fundamental right and stressed the need for sustainable management, investment in water infrastructure, and inclusive decision-making to address growing water challenges