ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has called on the international community to take urgent action to pressure India into restoring the Indus Water Treaty and halting its manipulation of water resources.
Speaking to the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, Dar voiced serious concerns over India’s unilateral actions regarding the water flow of the Chenab River, which he said were in direct violation of the treaty’s provisions.
Dar highlighted that India’s recent release of water without prior notification or data sharing with Pakistan, as mandated under the Indus Water Treaty, has prompted Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner to seek clarification from his Indian counterpart.
He warned that India’s actions exemplify the dangerous trend of weaponizing water, which has long been a point of concern for Pakistan on the global stage.
“The ongoing manipulation of water, especially during Pakistan’s critical agricultural cycle, directly threatens the livelihoods, food security, and economic stability of our people,” Dar said. He called on India to respond to Pakistan’s concerns and adhere to its obligations under the treaty.
Dar also accused India of systematically undermining the treaty, pointing to the construction of hydropower projects like Kishanganga and Ratle, which he claimed violate the treaty’s technical specifications. He criticized India’s increasing capacity to manipulate water through illegal dams, which he said endanger Pakistan’s national security and the welfare of its citizens.
