KEY POINTS
- Legal strategy formulated to challenge India’s action
- All political parties united behind armed forces on national issues
- Violations of the treaty could escalate regional tensions and trigger global response
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik has said that Islamabad will approach international forums, including the World Bank, regarding the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty by India.
“India cannot take a unilateral decision regarding the Indus Water Treaty,” he said while talking to a private television channel. The legal strategy has been formulated to take the issue forward, he said.
In response to a question about political parties’ role, he said all the political parties are united and behind the Pakistan Armed forces to tackle any misadventure being planned by India.
To another question, he said Pakistan has been facing terrorism for a long time and is one of the most affected countries in the world. We will address all challenges including terrorism with collective efforts, he stated.
Understanding the treaty
The Indus Water Treaty, signed in 1960, is a critical agreement between Pakistan and India that governs the sharing of the Indus River system’s waters.
The treaty allocates the waters of three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) to India, while Pakistan has rights to the waters of the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab).
For Pakistan, the treaty has been vital in ensuring access to water resources that are crucial for agriculture, industry, and daily life, especially in the face of growing water scarcity.
However, in recent years, Pakistan has raised concerns over India’s actions that it views as violations of the treaty, particularly following India’s construction of dams and water projects on the western rivers.
These actions have heightened tensions between the two countries, and Pakistan has called on international bodies, including the World Bank, to intervene and protect the treaty’s integrity.
Repercussions for India
Disregarding the treaty could damage India’s international reputation and harm its relations not only with Pakistan but also with other neighbouring countries and global powers that support the equitable distribution of resources.
In the worst-case scenario, it could spark a regional water conflict, further exacerbating an already tense bilateral relationship.
The situation would also be closely monitored by international bodies, which could impose sanctions or diplomatic pressures on India.
