ISLAMABAD – June 5, 2025:Pakistan’s top leadership has condemned India’s reported unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), declaring it a “blatant violation” of international law and a serious act of “water aggression.” In response, the government has vowed to take decisive action under national security directives issued in April.Chairing a high-level meeting on Thursday at the Prime Minister’s House, the country’s premier stated that any threat to Pakistan’s water rights would be met with a united front and strategic measures. The session was attended by federal ministers, military leadership, provincial chief ministers, and regional heads from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, reflecting a broad political consensus.“This is a battle for justice. As we’ve always done in times of national crisis, we will confront this challenge with unity and determination,” the prime minister said.He criticized India’s attempt to unilaterally exit the 1960 treaty—brokered with the World Bank as guarantor—saying such a move has no legal basis and constitutes a direct threat to Pakistan’s water security. He warned that politicizing water could escalate regional tensions further.To address the issue, a high-level committee was formed, led by the deputy prime minister, tasked with devising financial strategies for new water infrastructure projects. The committee includes representatives from all provinces and key ministries and has been instructed to present its findings within 72 hours.The prime minister announced that non-controversial dam projects with cross-provincial consensus will be prioritized and fast-tracked. “These dams are not political—they are essential for national survival,” he said.Briefings during the meeting revealed Pakistan’s current water storage capacity stands at 15.318 million acre-feet, with 11 operational dams. Thirty-two additional dams are under construction under the Public Sector Development Programme, and 79 more are underway through other development schemes. The Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams are scheduled for completion in 2032 and 2027, respectively.Concerns were also raised over sedimentation in major reservoirs like Tarbela and Mangla, which has reduced storage efficiency. The leadership stressed the need for bold and immediate decisions to address the crisis.The prime minister also credited the finance and economic ministries for successfully securing funding from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, despite reported Indian efforts to derail these plans. “India tried to block our projects at the ADB for three days but failed. This diplomatic win strengthens our position,” he added.The meeting concluded with a strong show of unity across political and military lines, with all provincial and regional leaders jointly rejecting India’s actions. The prime minister called for continued solidarity, stating, “Just as our armed forces defend the nation on the battlefield, we must now stand united to protect every drop of water for our people.”
