Indus Waters Treaty violation serious issue: PA speaker

LAHORE:The University of Management and Technology (UMT), through its School of Governance and Department of Political Science and International Relations, organised a special dialogue on the Indus Waters Treaty.

According to a press release, the event aimed to discuss the current situation, challenges and implications for regional peace and security in light of India’s violations of the international treaty and to explore possible solutions. The chief guest of the event was Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan, who presided over the panel discussion and spoke in detail about India’s breaches of the treaty. Former provincial Minister and UMT President Ibrahim Hasan Murad, Rector Dr. Asif Raza, Chief Advisor Lt-Gen (retd) Javed Hasan, DG Ahmed Abdullah, Wapda Adviser Shahid Hameed, renowned legal expert Ahmer Bilal Sufi, senior analyst Suhail Warraich, along with UMT staff and faculty attended the event.

Malik Ahmad Khan, said that the violation of the Indus Waters Treaty is a serious concern and that the future of our generations is at stake if we lose access to water. He stressed the need for all parties to honour international agreements, noting that no one can unilaterally withdraw from such treaties. He shared that India’s aggression has targeted innocent women, children, and mosques, which is a direct attack on Pakistan’s sovereignty. He emphasized that Pakistan has both the capable forces and diplomatic tools needed to raise these issues on the international stage, reaffirming that Pakistan is a peace-loving nation.

Ibrahim Hasan Murad said that India’s water terrorism is not just a threat to Pakistan but to the peace and economy of the entire region. He stated that India is attempting to weaponize water by violating the Indus Waters Treaty and obstructing Pakistan's water.

Ahmer Bilal Soofi emphasised that violating the Indus Waters Treaty is a clear breach of international law. He pointed out that the treaty does not give India unrestricted rights to construct as many dams as it wants. He stressed that the only viable solution lies in serious diplomatic negotiations. Suhail Warraich highlighted the importance of the treaty and called on the World Bank to take effective action against any country breaking the agreement. He reiterated that India cannot halt water flow or construct dams illegally and urged the international community to act immediately against such water terrorism.