Pakistan is teetering on the brink of a major crisis as India suspends the Indus Waters Treaty, a move that has intensified water scarcity and food insecurity across the nation. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has issued a stark warning, asserting that his people face the grim prospect of dying from hunger and thirst due to India’s actions.
The suspension, implemented after the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, has disrupted water management critical to Pakistan’s survival. Dar accused India of “deliberately” eroding the treaty, which has been in place since 1960. He characterized India’s recent measures as “physical violations,” arguing they destabilize the region and disregard international legal frameworks.
The background to this crisis is the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 Indian civilians. India’s response included not only the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty but also a targeted military operation, “Operation Sindoor,” which successfully neutralized numerous terrorists and destroyed training camps.
According to Dar, India’s alleged interference with river flows is making Pakistan susceptible to extreme weather conditions, including severe droughts and destructive floods. This instability directly jeopardizes the agricultural backbone of Pakistan and threatens the lives of millions who depend on the Indus River system. The escalating tension underscores Pakistan’s vulnerability and its deep-seated anxieties regarding water security.