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ISLAMABAD: The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a dangerous turning point for water security in South Asia, warning that the move could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability, agriculture and human livelihoods, according to a report in the French leading daily newspaper Le Monde.&nbsp;The report published on Saturday said India had used water as a tool of political pressure following the April 2025 Pahalgam incident, raising concerns over the future of one of the world&#39;s most important transboundary water-sharing agreements.&nbsp;According to the report, the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally suspended, and any modification to the agreement requires the consent of both Pakistan and India. The report noted that the Permanent Court of Arbitration has also affirmed that the treaty remains in force.&nbsp;It highlighted concerns over India&#39;s alleged withholding of hydrological data, saying the lack of information has made it more difficult for Pakistan to issue timely flood warnings and prepare for water-related disasters.&nbsp;The report focused on the impact of recent flooding in Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province, where farmers suffered heavy losses due to sudden floods, crop destruction and large deposits of sand left on agricultural land.&nbsp;Families living along the Chenab River told the newspaper they had lost livestock, crops and household belongings as floodwaters swept through their communities.&nbsp;The report also presented Pakistan&#39;s position that any attempt to stop or divert water flows would be viewed as a serious provocation. It cited statements by Indian leaders as examples of the political use of water resources.&nbsp;The report referred to remarks by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah regarding restricting water flows to Pakistan, noting that Islamabad had described such threats as &quot;water terrorism.&quot;&nbsp;It said Pakistan&#39;s concerns go beyond politics, touching on human rights, food security and national survival. It noted that more than 80 percent of Pakistan&#39;s agriculture depends on the Indus River system, which remains vital to the country&#39;s economy and population.&nbsp;The French daily also pointed out that India itself faces concerns over upstream water pressure from China, particularly regarding the Brahmaputra River, creating a situation similar to Pakistan&#39;s concerns over India&#39;s control of river flows.&nbsp;The report argued that the water dispute is no longer merely a bilateral issue but has become a broader question of environmental and regional security across South Asia.&nbsp;It stressed that climate change, glacier melt and rapid population growth have made cooperation between Pakistan and India on water management more important than ever.&nbsp;The newspaper emphasized that transparent sharing of hydrological data is essential for protecting human lives and reducing the risks posed by floods and other water-related disasters.&nbsp;The report warned that India&#39;s unilateral approach could set a dangerous precedent for international river laws and the rights of downstream countries, while reinforcing Pakistan&#39;s position that water should never be used as a weapon of war, coercion or retaliation.

A general view of the partially damaged Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project following Indian strikes in Nausari, about 40kms from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, on May 8, 2025. (File photo: AFP)

Climate & Environment

The report published on Saturday says India had used water as a tool of political pressure following the April 2025 Pahalgam incident, raising concerns over the future of one of the world's most important transboundary water-sharing agreements.

Indus treaty suspension by India threatens regional water security, reports French daily

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, said on Sunday that India&#39;s allegations against Pakistan regarding the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/india-failed-to-substantiate-pahalgam-allegations-after-one-year-pakistan-minister" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">Pahalgam attack</a>&nbsp;were rejected internationally, while Islamabad&#39;s position gained global recognition. &quot;Pakistan&#39;s truth emerged as a bright reality at the global level,&quot; Tarar said. &quot;India&#39;s baseless allegations and fabricated narrative could not find acceptance at the global level.&quot; The information minister was speaking on the first anniversary of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif&#39;s address at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, which he called a historic turning point on the diplomatic front. Pakistan had first responded to Indian allegations at a National Security Committee meeting on April 24, 2025, according to the information minister. Two days later, PM Sharif addressed cadets at PMA Kakul, delivering &ldquo;a befitting reply to India&rdquo; over &ldquo;a false flag operation in Pahalgam.&rdquo; &quot;The blame game and baseless allegations under the guise of incidents like Pahalgam must stop,&quot; PM Sharif said in that address, as quoted by the minister. Tarar said that the prime minister described the Pahalgam incident as a tragedy. Pakistan also expressed sympathy with the victims and raised concern and regret at the global level. He noted how India, by contrast, has never condemned terrorist incidents. The information minister said when the prime minister offered to investigate the Pahalgam incident, India backed down entirely. &quot;India&#39;s failure to respond to the offer of investigation is a question mark on its position,&quot; he said. &quot;The whole world supported Pakistan&#39;s position.&quot; Tarar stated how India-backed terrorist groups are directly involved, including <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-security-forces-kill-15-terrorists-in-balochistan-operation-military" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">Fitna al-Hindustan</a>&nbsp;(Balochistan Liberation Army) and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-premier-vows-to-eradicate-all-forms-of-terrorism-from-country" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 115, 230);">Fitna al-Khwarij</a> (Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan).&nbsp;&quot;The clear difference is that Pakistan has made sacrifices against terrorism while India promotes terrorism,&quot; he said. He said that Pakistan has lost more than 90,000 lives in the war on terrorism and suffered over $600 billion in economic losses. On India&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/president-zardari-calls-on-india-to-restore-indus-waters-treaty" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">weaponization of water</a> against Pakistan, the minister said PM Sharif issued an unambiguous warning: &quot;Water is Pakistan&#39;s red line, there will be no compromise on it.&quot; India uses water as a weapon alongside terrorism, he stated. &quot;Pakistan&#39;s forces are capable of giving a full and effective response to any adventure,&quot; Tarar said. &quot;The entire nation stands with the Pakistani forces and is determined to defend the homeland.&quot; &quot;The Pakistani nation will not compromise on its honor and dignity,&quot; he said, quoting the prime minister directly. Pakistan&#39;s institutional and military strength has become clear to the world, he stated. &ldquo;India faced defeat on all fronts &mdash; narrative, diplomatic, and otherwise.&rdquo; &quot;Pakistan gained respect, dignity and trust at the global level. The morale of overseas Pakistanis also rose.&quot; &quot;The prime minister&#39;s speech in Kakul will be remembered as an important milestone in history,&quot; he declared.

Security

Attaullah Tarar says India did not respond to Islamabad's offer for a joint investigation into the Pahalgam attack, noting that Pakistan’s position gained global support while India’s narrative was rejected.

Articles tagged with "weaponization of water"

Indus treaty suspension by India threatens regional water security, reports French daily

India's Pahalgam narrative rejected, Pakistan's position gained global acceptance: Information Minister

Indus treaty suspension by India threatens regional water security, reports French daily