Pakistan calls for respecting, implementing Indus Water Treaty
Radio Pakistan, October 26, 2022
United Nations: Pakistan has called for respecting and implementing the Indus Water Treaty between Islamabad and New Delhi, in letter and spirit.
Speaking at a preparatory meeting for the UN Water Conference 2023, in New York, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Munir Akram said any changes on the other side of the border have a direct impact on Pakistan.
He stressed the need to ensure trans-boundary water cooperation to ensure the right and obligations of lower and upper riparian states.
The Pakistani envoy called for upholding of environmental principles like precaution, polluter pays, and no-harm in maintaining fresh water resources including trans-boundary rivers.
He said Pakistan is among the top ten water scarce countries in the world and has also been among the top ten climate vulnerable countries.
Munir Akram said recurrent spells of extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, glacial lake outbursts, cyclones and heat waves have taken a heavy toll on both life and property and adversely affected Pakistan’s economic growth.
