Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik has reaffirmed that Pakistan will not compromise on its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, describing water security as a matter of national survival. He made the remarks while addressing an international seminar focused on the treaty and regional water management.
Speaking at the event, Malik said Pakistan has experienced devastating floods in recent years, but stressed that the broader issue is not only environmental. According to him, it is also a matter of justice, fair resource distribution, and protecting the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on agriculture.
The minister argued that controlling the flow of water and using it as a strategic tool poses serious challenges for regional stability. He said water shortages are forcing many farmers to abandon agriculture and warned that the effects of declining water availability could extend beyond Pakistan to other countries in the region.
Musadik Malik emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty remains one of the strongest international water-sharing agreements. He noted that the treaty remained in force despite three wars between Pakistan and India, adding that weakening such an agreement could undermine confidence in international treaties worldwide.
Referring to international legal proceedings, Malik said arbitration bodies have ruled that no country can unilaterally suspend or terminate the Indus Waters Treaty. He also stated that, according to those rulings, projects affecting Pakistan’s allocated waters must comply with the treaty’s provisions.
The federal minister also criticized India, alleging that it does not accept certain international arbitration decisions related to the treaty. He further claimed that India’s actions have contributed to thousands of deaths and injuries in Pakistan. These claims were presented as his remarks during the seminar, and no supporting evidence was provided at the event.
