ISLAMABAD: Asif Ali Zardari called on India to immediately resume full implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty, stressing the importance of adhering to international commitments.
In his message, the president strongly criticised India’s unilateral move to suspend the treaty, describing it as a troubling “weaponisation” of shared water resources. He warned that halting data-sharing, disrupting agreed mechanisms, and undermining the spirit of the decades-old agreement could have serious consequences for regional stability.
Zardari noted that tensions surrounding the treaty intensified after India placed it in abeyance following a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in April 2025, which left 26 people dead. He reiterated that Pakistan has rejected allegations linking it to the incident.
He cautioned that such actions threaten food security, economic stability, and the livelihoods of millions who depend on the Indus river system, while also setting a concerning precedent for the management of shared natural resources under international law.
Highlighting this year’s theme of “Water and Gender,” the president emphasized that water scarcity disproportionately affects women and girls, who often bear the greatest burden when access to safe water is limited.
