ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that water should never be used as a tool of coercion or warfare.
On the occasion of World Wetlands Day, he called for rejecting any attempts to use water as a weapon against Pakistan, warning that disrupting river flows could threaten millions of lives, livelihoods, and the food system.
President Zardari highlighted the importance of sustainable management and protection of water resources, noting that this day commemorates the 1971 Ramsar Convention on wetlands, to which Pakistan is a signatory. The convention promotes the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands for present and future generations.
He stressed that Pakistan’s water resources are vital for protecting against floods, droughts, heatwaves, and rising sea levels, while also supporting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. They provide water for domestic use, agriculture, livestock grazing, and fisheries.
The President pointed out growing challenges, particularly in Sindh, where historical water scarcity and rising sea levels threaten ecosystems such as the Indus Delta and mangrove forests, while internal water bodies including Keenjhar, Haleji, and Manchar lakes face reduced freshwater inflow, prolonged droughts, and increasing pollution.
He also underlined the importance of cross-border cooperation for water security, expressing concern over unilateral actions by India regarding the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, which ensures fair water distribution in the Indus Basin.
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