Critical Warning: Pakistan Rejects India’s Weaponization of Water Amid Glacial Crisis

Indus Waters Treaty violations have sparked a diplomatic firestorm. In a decisive speech at the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Dushanbe, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a stern warning to India: Pakistan will never allow its water lifeline to be threatened. The statement came in response to India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, which governs the water sharing of the Indus River system—critical for Pakistan’s survival.

Shehbaz Sharif’s Address at the Glacier Conference

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed over 2,500 delegates from 80 countries and 70 international organizations, including dignitaries from the UN, ADB, and UNESCO. The event marked the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025, as declared by the UN General Assembly.

In his address, Shehbaz Sharif passionately outlined the climatic challenges facing Pakistan, particularly glacial melt and the looming water crisis. “Pakistan gets half of its water from glaciers,” he emphasized, “and the Sindh River is our lifeline.”

He warned, “Delhi’s unilateral and illegal decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty is deeply regrettable. Millions of lives must not be held hostage to narrow political gains. We will not allow the red line to be crossed.”

Glacial Melting: A Looming Threat to Pakistan

Pakistan is home to more than 13,000 glaciers, making it one of the most glacier-dense countries outside the polar regions. However, due to climate change, these glaciers are melting at an alarming rate.

“Scientific projections predict that glacial melt in our region will first lead to increased flooding and then a significant reduction in river flow,” warned the prime minister. “This means less water for agriculture, drinking, and electricity, leading to widespread chaos, loss of livelihoods, and displacement.”

Pakistan’s experience with the catastrophic 2022 floods—caused in large part by accelerated glacial melt—serves as a grim warning. Over 33 million people were affected, millions of acres of crops were destroyed, and infrastructure losses were estimated at over $30 billion.

Weaponization of Water and the Indus Waters Treaty

India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960 under World Bank auspices, has introduced an alarming precedent: the weaponization of water. This treaty historically ensured peaceful water sharing between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, even during times of war.

Shehbaz Sharif denounced this move as a grave violation of international law and a dangerous political gamble. “The weaponization of essential natural resources such as water is an alarming new low,” he said. “Water is life. It must never be used as a tool of coercion or conflict.”

He added that any disruption in the water flow of the Indus, Jhelum, or Chenab rivers would directly threaten Pakistan’s agriculture, economy, and food security.

Call for Global Climate Action

The prime minister extended his message beyond regional concerns, calling on developed nations to fulfill their climate finance commitments. “The global South cannot be left to suffer the brunt of emissions created by the global North,” he said. “Adequate funding for adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage is crucial.”

He demanded immediate investment in:

• Early warning systems
• Climate-resilient infrastructure
• Disaster preparedness programs

Shehbaz also emphasized the importance of the UN’s multilateral platforms in ensuring climate justice and equitable resource sharing, especially for countries with minimal carbon footprints like Pakistan.

Shared Rivers, Shared Responsibility

Drawing on personal anecdotes, PM Shehbaz recalled swimming in the once-pristine River Ravi as a child. “That river, like many others in our region, has changed dramatically due to human neglect and environmental degradation.”

He drew a parallel with Tajikistan’s Vakhsh River, underscoring that shared river systems symbolize a common ecological destiny. “Let us protect nature’s bounties not just for our nations but for the future of our planet,” he concluded.

Conclusion: A Global Climate Imperative

Pakistan’s bold stance on the Indus Waters Treaty and the urgent need for glacier preservation is more than regional posturing—it’s a wake-up call for the world. As glaciers vanish and rivers recede, nations must come together to prevent humanitarian disasters and ensure sustainable resource sharing.

India must reconsider its decision and return to the framework of international cooperation. The international community must act with urgency, recognizing that water wars are no longer a dystopian concept—they are an imminent reality.

External Links

• UN Sustainable Development Goals – Climate Action
• Indus Waters Treaty Overview – World Bank
• International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation – UN General Assembly

Internal Links

• Pakistan’s 2022 Floods: A Climate Wake-Up Call
• Climate Diplomacy: Pakistan at the Forefront
• Glacial Melting and Food Security in Pakistan