Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday urged the international community to press India to immediately restore the Indus Water Treaty and stop the “weaponisation of water,” warning that unilateral actions threaten peace and stability in South Asia.
Addressing the diplomatic corps in Islamabad, Dar said India recently manipulated the flow of the Chenab River by releasing water without prior notice or data sharing, in violation of treaty obligations.
He said the move forced Pakistan’s Indus Waters Commissioner to formally seek clarification from his Indian counterpart under the treaty’s dispute procedures.
Dar described the action as a clear example of water being used as a coercive tool, a concern Pakistan has repeatedly raised at international forums.
He warned that manipulating river flows during a critical phase of the agricultural cycle directly threatens livelihoods, food security and economic stability in Pakistan.
The deputy prime minister said Pakistan expects India to respond to the commissioner’s queries, refrain from unilateral actions and fully comply with the treaty in letter and spirit.
He accused India of systematically undermining the agreement, citing hydropower projects such as Kishanganga and Ratle, which he said feature designs that violate the treaty’s technical specifications.
Dar said India continues to construct illegal dams, increasing its capacity to store and control water flows, a development he described as a direct risk to Pakistan’s security and economy.
He also said India has halted advance notifications, hydrological data sharing and joint oversight mechanisms required under the treaty, exposing Pakistan to floods and droughts.
Such conduct, he warned, could trigger a humanitarian crisis and runs contrary to international human rights and humanitarian law, while obstructing progress on global goals related to poverty and hunger.
Dar cautioned that allowing treaty violations to go unchecked would set a dangerous precedent.
He also criticised India for refusing to participate in dispute resolution mechanisms, including proceedings before the Court of Arbitration and the neutral expert.
Reiterating that the Indus Water Treaty is a binding legal instrument and a cornerstone of regional stability, Dar urged global partners to take note of India’s conduct and counsel restraint in line with international law.
He said recent statements by Indian leaders reinforce concerns about intentions to use water as leverage against Pakistan.
Dar stressed that Pakistan remains committed to peaceful dispute resolution but will not compromise on what he called the country’s “existential water rights.”
