Water is our lifeline, redline, says Tarar

Ministers say IWT cannot be unilaterally revoked or altered; remains in force

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar on Monday asserted that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) could not be unilaterally revoked or altered and that the people of Pakistan have a right to Indus waterways under the "legally enforceable treaty".

"Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have stated multiple times that 'water is our lifeline, as well as our red line'," Tarar said on Monday while addressing a press conference alongside Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik.

Under the IWT, signed by Pakistan and India in 1960 with the World Bank as a signatory, the three eastern rivers of the Indus system—the Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—were allocated to India, while the three western rivers—the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—were allocated primarily to Pakistan.

India unilaterally suspended the treaty last May after a militant attack in held Kashmir and ahead of a brief confrontation between the neighbouring countries.

Recently, Indian Water Minister CR Patil said his country was working to ensure "not a single drop of water" would flow into Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan has maintained that any attempt to change the flow of cross-border waterways would be considered an "act of war".

Tarar said the world has endorsed that water security is important for Pakistan and the country has a right to it. "Legally, Pakistan's stance has garnered international support, as the IWT cannot be unilaterally revoked, abolished or amended," he added.

The minister said the treaty had laid out a framework with clarity, which is "in the field and [remains] implemented".

Malik said Pakistan is taking the IWT issue beyond a bilateral dispute, as a global question of justice, fundamental rights and the protection of downstream nations' access to water.

"Our food security, our economy and the livelihoods of millions are linked to this water," he said, adding that decisions affecting river flows should not rest in the hands of another country.