Islamabad will host a landmark international conference on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on Tuesday, bringing together water and legal experts from around the world. Pakistani federal ministers announced the event, emphasizing the need to build consensus on constructing dams to regulate the country's water storage capacity.
Pakistan's Stance on the Indus Waters Treaty
Pakistan has warned that it will not allow India to violate the IWT by blocking or diverting water flow. The treaty, brokered between the two rivals in 1960, governs the distribution of waters from the Indus river system. Tensions escalated after India announced in April 2025 that it was unilaterally holding the treaty in abeyance, blaming Islamabad for supporting a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an impartial probe.
Pakistan has also raised concerns that India is pursuing reservoir, expansion, and diversion projects on rivers covered by the IWT.
International Seminar a First of Its Kind
Speaking at a news conference, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the IWT seminar will feature international water and legal experts. “Under this seminar, awareness will be given about what Pakistan’s right on water, on rivers according to the Indus Waters Treaty, what is that right, its nature, and its different aspects,” Tarar explained. He described it as “a first-of-its-kind international seminar.”
Tarar noted that when the IWT is discussed globally, experts acknowledge Pakistan’s water rights under the treaty, calling this a victory for Islamabad in the “narrative domain.”
Call for Dam Construction Consensus
Climate Change Minister Dr. Musadik Malik, speaking alongside Tarar, warned that Pakistan will not allow India to stop its water flow. “We have already announced that whoever touches our water, we will cut their hands,” he said.
Malik stressed the need to build a consensus among political parties on constructing dams across the country. He emphasized that dams are essential to ensure water storage for farmers during critical periods for irrigation. “We should at least agree that we need to regulate the water flow and we need dams,” Malik said. “God willing, there will be no dispute with any political party regarding this.”
Background of the Indus Waters Treaty Dispute
The Indus Waters Treaty has been a cornerstone of water-sharing between India and Pakistan for over six decades. India’s decision to hold the treaty in abeyance in April 2025 marked a significant escalation. Pakistan has consistently maintained that the treaty must be upheld and that any violations will be challenged internationally.
The upcoming conference aims to reinforce Pakistan’s position and seek global support for its water rights, while also addressing domestic challenges related to water storage and management.
