On the occasion of World Water Day, President Asif Ali Zardari issued a strong appeal to India, urging the immediate restoration of the full implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Emphasizing the importance of honoring international commitments, the president underscored the treaty’s critical role in managing the shared waters of the Indus river system, which has been a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation for more than sixty years.
In his detailed message, President Zardari expressed Pakistan’s firm condemnation of India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty. He described this move as a deliberate politicization and weaponization of shared water resources, which poses serious risks not only to regional stability but also to the livelihoods of millions who depend on these waters for agriculture, drinking, and daily life. He highlighted that India’s decision to halt hydrological data sharing and disrupt agreed-upon mechanisms undermines both the letter and the spirit of this long-standing international agreement.
The current tensions surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty escalated sharply after India announced the suspension of the treaty in April 2025, following a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOK) that claimed 26 lives. Without conducting any formal investigation, New Delhi accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack, an allegation that Islamabad has categorically denied. President Zardari warned that such actions not only threaten food and economic security but also set a dangerous precedent for the management of transboundary water resources under international law.
Meanwhile, the president drew attention to the broader theme of this year’s World Water Day, which focuses on “Water and Gender.” He pointed out that water insecurity disproportionately affects women and girls, who often bear the heaviest burden when access to safe water is limited or distant. In many parts of Pakistan, households still rely on unreliable or far-off water sources, forcing women and girls to spend hours each day collecting water. This time-consuming task often comes at the expense of education, employment, and family life.
President Zardari further elaborated on the health risks and additional household pressures caused by the lack of safe water. He stressed that addressing water scarcity is not merely a matter of infrastructure or public service delivery but also one of social justice and equal opportunity. Access to clean and safe water, he emphasized, is a fundamental right enshrined in Pakistan’s Constitution, and ensuring this access must remain a top national priority.
Highlighting the need for sustainable water management, the president called for increased investment in water infrastructure and greater involvement of women in water resource planning and decision-making processes. He also encouraged citizens to take proactive steps at the community level, such as adopting rainwater harvesting and other simple water conservation techniques. These measures, he explained, can help replenish underground aquifers and improve the overall water table, contributing to long-term water availability.
In closing, President Zardari issued a cautionary note about the mounting pressures on Pakistan’s water resources. With growing population demands and the unpredictable impacts of climate change, he stressed the urgent need for more careful and efficient use of water. Water, he reminded, is vital not only for agriculture and urban centers but also for sustaining the natural environment that supports the country’s biodiversity and economy.
As World Water Day serves as a reminder of the preciousness of this resource, President Zardari’s message calls for renewed commitment from all stakeholders—governments, communities, and individuals alike—to safeguard water security for present and future generations.
