KARACHI:
The ongoing floods that have devastated large parts of Pakistan are a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective water management and regional cooperation. According to official reports, millions of people have been displaced, thousands of homes destroyed, and vast areas of farmland inundated. These losses are not only economic but humanitarian, threatening food security and the livelihoods of already vulnerable communities.
It is undeniable that unusually heavy monsoon rains and glacial melting played a major role in this disaster. However, India’s sudden release of water from its overflowing dams has intensified Pakistan’s misery. While such releases may be necessary for the safety of dam infrastructure, the absence of transparent and timely data-sharing has left Pakistan without adequate warning. The suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty’s information system has created a dangerous vacuum that fuels mistrust and prevents proper preparation.
Water should never be politicised or used as leverage. It is a shared lifeline for millions on both sides of the border. Regional peace, climate resilience and food security all depend on recognising water as a humanitarian obligation rather than a political tool. Pakistan must urgently strengthen its own flood forecasting and storage infrastructure, but equally important is the restoration of cross-border cooperation, trust, and transparency.
If both nations continue to treat water as a weapon, the region will face repeated tragedies of even greater magnitude. It is time for leadership on both sides to rise above politics and act in the interest of humanity.
Asiya S Muhammad
Taxila
