ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has achieved a diplomatic breakthrough at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) after a resolution recognising access to safe drinking water and sanitation as a human right was adopted by consensus in Geneva.
The resolution, jointly presented by Germany and Spain, retained a reference to cooperation over transboundary water resources following Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
According to the report, Pakistan worked to ensure that the provision on cross-border water cooperation remained part of the final resolution despite opposition from India.
India had reportedly pushed for the removal of the reference, but the 47-member UNHRC ultimately approved the resolution without a vote.
Speaking during the proceedings, Pakistan’s First Secretary Adeel Khokhar stressed that countries sharing water resources have a collective responsibility to ensure their sustainable and equitable use.
He said water resources should not be turned into a tool for political pressure or influence by an upstream country.
The retention of the cross-border water cooperation clause is being viewed as an important diplomatic development for Pakistan as it continues to raise concerns over the management of shared water resources.
The resolution was considered in the broader context of human rights, with the UNHRC reaffirming the importance of access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
