President Asif Ali Zardari has made a strong appeal to India, urging the immediate restoration of the full implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), emphasizing that this step aligns with India’s international commitments. His statement, delivered on the occasion of World Water Day, underscores Pakistan’s firm rejection of India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty, which has been a cornerstone of water-sharing between the two countries for over sixty years.
In his message, President Zardari described India’s actions as a deliberate misuse of shared water resources, expressing serious concern over the decision to put the treaty on hold. He highlighted that New Delhi’s suspension disrupts the established mechanisms for hydrological data exchange and violates both the letter and spirit of this long-standing bilateral agreement. The treaty, which has successfully governed equitable water distribution from the Indus river system since 1960, is now under threat, raising fears of increased tensions between the two neighbors.
The current strain on the treaty escalated sharply after India suspended its implementation following a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOK) in April 2025, which claimed 26 lives. Without conducting a thorough investigation, India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the incident, an allegation Islamabad has categorically denied. This move by India not only undermines diplomatic relations but also jeopardizes the livelihoods of millions who rely on the Indus waters for agriculture and daily life.
President Zardari warned that such actions threaten Pakistan’s food security and economic stability, as water is a critical resource for sustaining agriculture and industry. He stressed that the unilateral suspension sets a dangerous precedent for the management of transboundary water resources under international law, potentially destabilizing regional cooperation and peace.
Turning to the theme of World Water Day 2025, which focuses on “Water and Gender,” the president drew attention to the disproportionate impact of water scarcity on women and girls. He pointed out that in many parts of Pakistan, access to safe and reliable water remains a daily struggle. Women and girls often bear the brunt of this scarcity, spending countless hours fetching water from distant or unreliable sources. This not only limits their opportunities for education and employment but also adds significant strain to their health and household responsibilities.
Highlighting these social challenges, President Zardari emphasized that addressing water scarcity is not merely a matter of infrastructure but also one of social justice and equal opportunity. He called for increased investment in water supply systems and greater inclusion of women in water management and decision-making processes, underscoring that access to clean water is a fundamental human right enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution.
Furthermore, the president encouraged citizens to actively participate in water conservation efforts. He advocated for the adoption of simple yet effective measures such as rainwater harvesting, which can help replenish underground aquifers and raise the water table. him, collective small-scale initiatives by households and communities can significantly improve water availability and sustainability across the country.
Concluding his message, President Zardari issued a cautionary note about the increasing pressures on Pakistan’s water resources. He reminded the nation that water is essential not only for agriculture and urban living but also for maintaining the natural environment. With growing population demands and the unpredictable impacts of climate change, he urged everyone to use water more judiciously to ensure its availability for future generations.
