At a meeting co-hosted by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations and the Muslim American Friendship Alliance (MALA), speakers expressed deep concern over India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a violation of international law and a dangerous precedent of weaponizing water. The event, titled “The Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan’s Water Crisis: Challenges and the Way Forward,” brought together diplomats, academics, policymakers, and experts to discuss the future of the treaty.
Pakistan’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, warned against the use of water as a political weapon, emphasizing the treaty’s role in the human right to water and regional stability. Citing the arbitration court’s upholding of the IWT, he stated that no country could unilaterally suspend or terminate it. He highlighted the potential for human suffering, especially for vulnerable populations, due to manipulation of water usage.
Ambassador Ahmad also highlighted the security implications of undermining the IWT, warning that it could exacerbate tensions in an already volatile region. He drew attention to the UN Security Council’s recognition of the link between resource management and global security, emphasizing the IWT’s importance in this context.
MALA Chairperson Maha Khan stressed the importance of addressing the water crisis, highlighting its impact on livelihoods and human dignity. Legal expert Dr. Kishore Apriti criticized India’s actions, pointing out the absence of an exit clause in the treaty and warning of widespread consequences if it were abandoned. She advocated for strict adherence to international law.
Former World Bank water expert Dr. Masood Ahmad focused on the technical aspects of the treaty, urging Pakistan to enhance its water management capabilities. Barrister Dawood Ghaznavi highlighted the human cost of IWT violations, citing displacement and devastation caused by India’s withholding of hydrological data. He appealed for intervention by the World Bank and the UN.
Legal expert Shahmir Halipota suggested reforms to the treaty’s dispute resolution mechanism, advocating for a permanent court of arbitration with expert involvement. In closing, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Usman Jadon, reiterated the IWT’s importance as a shared resource and emphasized the collective responsibility to uphold it. He highlighted the human impact of undermining the treaty, stressing the need for a collaborative solution involving the UN, World Bank, and civil society.