Ecological assault

This refers to the letter ‘Poisoned rivers’ (May 21, 2025) by Riaz Missen. The writer raises alarm over the environmental and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Pakistan due to the contamination and strangulation of its eastern rivers. India’s upstream diversions and persistent discharge of untreated industrial effluents into transboundary rivers amount to an ecological assault. Not only have the flows been curtailed drastically, but toxic wastewater continues to enter Pakistan through at least four major drains. These conduits carry dangerous pollutants and biological contaminants, devastating aquatic ecosystems and seeping into Pakistan’s water systems, soils and, ultimately, its food chain. Pakistan must no longer treat this as a routine dispute. It is a cross-border environmental crime.

I urge the government to document these violations comprehensively and raise them at international forums such as the International Court of Justice. Simultaneously, cross-sector cooperation is required to rehabilitate affected lands and communities and demand minimum environmental flows in these rivers to safeguard human and ecological health.

Ismat Habib

Lahore