Regarding the Pakistan India dispute, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, while addressing the seminar titled “Weaponizing Waters: Historical, Legal and Strategic Dimensions of IWT Suspension” at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad on Wednesday, September 30, said that Pakistan would not allow India to use water as a weapon. He said this is the right of 240 million Pakistani people, and no party can unilaterally change or suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.
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Indus Waters Treaty Is a Legal Document
At the beginning of his speech, Tarar said that we are proud to call ourselves the people of the Indus Valley. Our identity and lives are connected to the waters of the Indus River.
The Federal Minister for Information further said that the Indus Waters Treaty is a legal document. As a matter of law, neither party can change or suspend it according to its own will. Both parties that signed the Indus Waters Treaty are bound to follow its rules and principles. Referring to India’s actions, he said that doing so is sheer ignorance, and if I say this, it would not be wrong to say that India has become morally bankrupt and devoid of moral values.
Pakistan India Water Dispute and Message to the World
The Federal Minister further clarified that if any country can cancel another country’s water treaty while violating international principles, it could also affect the management and governance of transboundary waters, particularly in countries that share water under similar frameworks.
In this way, any country could stop another country’s water supply or cancel a water treaty.
Indus Waters Treaty and the Current Water System
Under the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan is entitled to use 80 percent of the water of the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. Under the treaty, out of the existing 168 million acre feet of water, approximately 33 million acre feet belongs to India.
However, India is currently using approximately 90 percent more than its share, which is causing difficulties for Pakistan.
Indus River and Agricultural Production
The Indus River system, which includes the Ravi, Sutlej, Beas and Jhelum rivers, serves as the backbone of Pakistan’s agricultural sector. It meets 23 percent of the country’s agricultural water requirements and directly provides employment to approximately 68 percent of people in rural areas. A reduction in water supply can lead to job losses, increased poverty and inflation, and damage to crops.
What Is the Indus Waters Treaty?
Pakistan and India signed the Indus Waters Treaty in 1960. Under the treaty, the water of the three western rivers, the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, was allocated to Pakistan, while the three eastern rivers, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, were allocated to India. Neither country can divert, stop or obstruct the flow of water belonging to the other country.
Violation of the Indus Waters Treaty
The Information Minister further said that India showed stubbornness and, in April 2025, announced that it was temporarily suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, violating the treaty and further increasing tensions between Pakistan and India. Pakistan rejected this and maintained that India cannot unilaterally reject the treaty.
Indus Waters Treaty and Permanent Court of Arbitration
“Pakistan presented the water dispute before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.” On August 31, 2026, the court announced its decision, stating that the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force and that neither country can unilaterally terminate the treaty. Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India is required to fulfill its responsibilities. However, India ignored the court’s decision and violated moral values.
Use of Water as a Weapon
Attaullah Tarar referred to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the United Nations General Assembly and said that the Prime Minister had stated at the General Assembly that India should not use water as a weapon. Water should be used to bring nations together, create love and harmony, and support their development, rather than divide them. He said India’s objective is only to create conflict, while the Indus River is the “lifeline” of the entire region.
Pakistan’s Limited Water Storage Capacity
Pakistan’s limited water storage capacity is a major challenge. The combined live storage of the Mangla and Tarbela dams is approximately 14.4 million acre feet, which is around 10 percent of Pakistan’s annual water share under the treaty. In the event of reduced water flows or seasonal changes, this limited storage capacity could increase difficulties for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Dependence on the Indus River System
Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus River system for its water needs, while the Indus Waters Treaty also provides India with certain rights. Under the treaty, India is allowed to develop irrigation over approximately 1.34 million acres in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. According to available information, approximately 642,000 acres of land in these areas are currently being irrigated.
Growing Tensions Between Pakistan and India
Relations between the two countries became more strained after India revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Tensions increased further after the Pahalgam attack in 2025, deepening the trust crisis between Pakistan and India.
India’s Statement on Stopping Water
According to the report, Indian Water Minister Chandrakant Raghunath Patil said in early June this year that India was working on a strategy to disrupt the flow of the Indus River into Pakistan. In an interview with the media, the Indian minister claimed that in the coming years, Pakistan’s water supply from the Indus River could be severely affected.
Conclusion
The Pakistan India water dispute has become an important issue. The Indus River is of fundamental importance to Pakistan’s economy, agriculture and people, making tensions over water an important issue for the entire region.
FAQs
What is the Pakistan India water dispute?
The Pakistan India water dispute mainly concerns the sharing and management of water under the Indus Waters Treaty.
What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
The Indus Waters Treaty is a 1960 agreement between Pakistan and India that governs the use of the Indus River system.
What did Attaullah Tarar say about water?
Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan would not allow India to use water as a weapon and stressed the importance of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Why is the Indus River important for Pakistan?
The Indus River system is essential for Pakistan’s agriculture, water supply and economy.
Can India suspend the Indus Waters Treaty?
Pakistan maintains that India cannot unilaterally suspend or terminate the Indus Waters Treaty.
How does water affect Pakistan’s agriculture?
Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus River system for irrigation, so changes in water availability can affect crops and agricultural production.
I am the founder and writer at Duniya Time.com, a news website focused on national and international news, social issues, and history. With a background in Islamic History, I write research-based articles in a clear and honest style. My goal is to share accurate information, thoughtful analysis, and meaningful stories that help readers stay informed and understand the world better.