No compromise on water

PAKISTAN has consistently raised concerns over repeated violations of the Indus Waters Treaty by India, highlighting the serious risks such actions pose to regional stability and to its water security. The latest move by India underscores a troubling pattern of unilateral measures that disregard existing agreements. Responding to India’s invitation for bids to transfer water from Chenab to the Beas River, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described the plan as a grave violation of the Indus Waters Treaty and international water law, including the Vienna Convention and the 1997 UN Watercourses Convention. He also expressed concern over India’s proposed silt flushing of the Salal Dam reservoir in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which would grant New Delhi control capabilities beyond treaty limits. Andrabi noted that India has neither communicated officially nor sought consultations on these projects, reinforcing the perception of a deliberate attempt to weaponize water against Pakistan. The implications are serious. Such actions threaten Pakistan’s economy, food security and the well-being of over 250 million people, while also destabilizing South Asia. Yet, the spokesperson emphasized that Pakistan has exercised restraint and remains committed to dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution. At the same time, he made it unequivocally clear that it retains all options to protect its water rights and national interests. India’s repeated disregard for treaty obligations reflects its enduring animosity toward Pakistan and its attempts to undermine Pakistan’s strategic interests. However, history shows that coercive policies against Pakistan, whether diplomatic or others, have repeatedly failed. The same is expected in this instance: Pakistan will defend its entitlements effectively. The international community must also recognize the dangers posed by India’s actions and leverage its influence to prevent water from being used as a tool of coercion. Uphold