Pakistan's President Urges India to Resume Full Implementation of Indus Waters Treaty

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on World Water Day called on India to resume full implementation of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, strongly condemning its unilateral suspension as the "deliberate use of shared water resources as a weapon."

In a message issued Sunday, Zardari warned that India's action undermines regional mechanisms and endangers the food and economic security of millions dependent on the Indus basin. He noted that the suspension threatens livelihoods and could have widespread consequences for transboundary water management.

India suspended its commitments under the treaty in April 2025 following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam region, an action Pakistan deems baseless. The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in June that India cannot unilaterally suspend the treaty.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan with World Bank mediation, allocates the waters of six rivers: the western rivers -- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab -- mainly to Pakistan, and the eastern rivers -- Ravi, Beas and Sutlej -- to India.

Zardari also addressed this year's World Water Day theme, highlighting the disproportionate impact of water scarcity on women and girls. He said women in many areas of Pakistan spend long hours collecting water, affecting their education, health and daily lives.

The president emphasized that access to clean water is a fundamental right that must be prioritized in national policies. He called for improved water resource management, investment in infrastructure, greater participation of women in decision-making, and citizen actions such as rainwater harvesting and responsible water use, amid pressures from population growth and climate change.