Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, issued a stern warning on Friday, accusing India of weaponizing water resources. This accusation follows sudden and unexplained changes in the flow of the Chenab River, which have severely impacted farmers in Pakistan's Punjab region.
A Clear Breach of an International Pact
Ishaq Dar explicitly stated that India's actions constitute a material breach of the Indus Waters Treaty. This historic agreement guarantees Pakistan unimpeded access to the waters of the Chenab. While India may not yet have the capability to stop the river entirely, it is already using its upstream control to manipulate water levels for its own power generation needs.
This manipulation involves holding back and releasing water without prior warning and in unpredictable patterns. Such conduct directly violates the treaty's terms and, according to Pakistan, is a deliberate strategy to disrupt the crucial agricultural cycles that feed the nation.
More Than a Dispute: An Assault on Food Security
Pakistan frames this not as a simple technical disagreement but as a form of aggression. The government describes it as "ecological warfare" and a grave assault on the country's food security. Engaging in such acts during peacetime is viewed as an extreme provocation that demands a firm response.
This position has found international support. A recent report by a panel of United Nations experts and special rapporteurs examined India's actions following the Pahalgam attack. The report concluded that India's knee-jerk decisions, including putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, violated fundamental human rights in Pakistan.
The UN report highlighted infringements on the right to life, security, work, livelihood, an adequate standard of living, and access to water and food. It also noted a violation of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
International Stakes and a Firm Warning
The issue has now taken on a significant international dimension. The Indus Waters Treaty is not a simple bilateral deal; it is a framework underpinned by international law and multilateral guarantees. Continued tampering with this established system threatens to destabilize the entire region and increase the risk of a major confrontation.
Pakistan's message, delivered from its political leadership to its military command, has been unwavering. Any attempt to choke Pakistan's water lifeline will be met with a decisive and resolute response. The warning also pointed out that India, already facing serious challenges on its eastern front, would be unwise to create a new crisis on its western border with Pakistan.
