Pakistan will not allow India to weaponise water, says Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said Pakistan will continue to defend its water rights and will not allow India to use water as a political or strategic tool.

Addressing a seminar at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Tarar said the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was a binding international agreement and could not be changed, suspended or revoked unilaterally by either side.

He said the treaty clearly establishes the rights and responsibilities of Pakistan and India and requires both countries to follow its provisions even when disputes arise.

Referring to a 2025 Court of Arbitration ruling, Tarar said the decision supported Pakistan’s position that unilateral changes to the treaty were not permissible.

The minister said Pakistan had pursued the matter through diplomatic and legal channels and was continuing to engage international organisations and countries to present its position.

He described the Indus Waters Treaty as an important framework for regional peace and stability. He also urged the international community to consider the wider implications of any unilateral suspension of an international water-sharing agreement.

Tarar said Pakistan viewed the Indus water system as essential to the country’s population, agriculture and economy. He maintained that any attempt to disrupt Pakistan’s water supply would have serious consequences.

The minister also rejected arguments linking the water dispute with allegations of cross-border terrorism. He highlighted Pakistan’s losses in its long-running fight against terrorism, saying the country had suffered significant human and economic costs.

Tarar said Pakistan was a peaceful country and remained committed to resolving disputes through international law and diplomatic engagement. However, he stressed that the government would continue protecting what it considers the country’s vital national interests.

The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 after negotiations facilitated by the World Bank. Under the agreement, India received control over the eastern rivers — Ravi, Sutlej and Beas — while Pakistan was allocated the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.

The treaty allows India limited use of the western rivers for purposes such as hydropower generation and irrigation, subject to specified conditions. Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus river system for agriculture, drinking water and the livelihoods of millions of people.

Tarar said the government would continue working with research institutions and international partners to highlight the legal, historical and strategic dimensions of the water dispute.

He also stressed that developments surrounding the treaty could set a wider precedent for international water-sharing agreements between countries that depend on common rivers.