Water is our lifeline, redline, says Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) cannot be revoked, amended, or suspended unilaterally, stressing that Pakistan’s rights over the Indus river system are protected under a legally binding international agreement.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Tarar said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have consistently maintained that "water is our lifeline and our red line," underscoring its importance to Pakistan’s national interests.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 by Pakistan and India with the World Bank as a guarantor, allocated the eastern rivers Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej,to India, while granting Pakistan primary rights over the western rivers Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

India suspended the treaty unilaterally in May following a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir and ahead of a brief military escalation between the two neighbouring countries.

More recently, Indian Water Minister C.R. Patil stated that India was working to ensure that "not a single drop of water" reaches Pakistan. Islamabad, however, has maintained that any attempt to alter the natural flow of shared rivers would be regarded as an act of war.

Tarar said the international community recognises Pakistan’s right to water security and supports its legal position. He added that the treaty remains valid and enforceable under international law, and cannot be changed without the consent of both parties.

He further noted that the treaty provides a clear legal framework that continues to govern the management and distribution of the shared river system.

Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik said Pakistan is raising the issue beyond the scope of a bilateral disagreement, presenting it as a matter of global justice, international law, and the rights of downstream countries to equitable access to water resources.

He emphasised that Pakistan’s agriculture, economy, food security, and the livelihoods of millions depend on these rivers, adding that decisions affecting river flows should not be controlled by another country.