PESHAWAR: Legal experts, political analysts and international relations scholars have strongly condemned the Indian Govt\u2019s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, arguing that the illegal move undermines international law, threatens regional stability and raises serious concerns over water security for millions of people dependent on the Indus River system. Speaking to APP, international law expert and Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan, Asif Yousafzai said access to water is recognized internationally as a fundamental human right, and any attempt to restrict or politicize water resources could have far-reaching humanitarian consequences. APP
\n\u201cThe United Nations has explicitly recognized access to water as a basic human right essential for the full enjoyment of people\u2019s lives and all other human rights,\u201d he said. \u201cRestricting river water flows to a lower riparian state raises serious legal and humanitarian concerns because it directly affects the rights to life, health and an adequate standard of living of millions of people.\u201d
\nHe maintained that India\u2019s uncalled for decision to place the IWT in abeyance after the April 2025 Pahalgam incident was inconsistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter, World Bank guarantee and international treaty obligations.
\nAccording to Asif Yousafzai, instead of utilizing the dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the treaty, India had attempted to link water cooperation with broader political and security disputes that will put peace of the subcontinent into jeopardy.
\n\u201cThe treaty already contains comprehensive procedures for addressing disagreements through bilateral discussions, neutral experts and international arbitration. Bypassing these solid mechanisms weakens confidence in international agreements besides shows India disregard for global treaties,\u201d he added.
\nHe further observed that restrictions on water resources disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, particularly women, children and rural populations whose livelihoods largely depend on agriculture, fisheries, forests, water and livestock.
\nLegal expert Malik Ashfaq advocate, said water and food are universally recognized as essential human necessities under UN charter and should never be used as political weapons against others. \u201cIndia\u2019s claim of keeping the treaty in abeyance is provocative and raises significant legal questions,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cUnder international law, treaties generally remain in force unless they are lawfully terminated, suspended by mutual agreement or materially breached in accordance with recognized legal principles.\u201d
\nHe said the IWT was designed in such a manner to survive political crises and military conflicts between the two neighboring countries.
\nBrokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960 by Pakistan President Field Marshall Ayub Khan and Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, the treaty has often been described as one of the world\u2019s most successful transboundary water-sharing agreements.
\nDespite the wars of 1965 and 1971, Kargil conflict and prolonged periods of diplomatic tensions, both countries continued implementing the treaty for more than 66 years. Under the agreement, Pakistan receives rights over the western rivers namely Indus, Jhelum and Chenab while India has rights over the eastern rivers like Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. The treaty also established the Permanent Indus Commission to facilitate cooperation and address technical disputes.
\nFormer Chairman of the Department of International Relations at the University of Peshawar, Professor Dr Adnan Sarwar Khan, said the treaty remains internationally recognized and cannot be unilaterally suspended by either party. He referred to recent proceedings before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, noting that Pakistan has all rights to pursue legal remedies available under the treaty framework.
\n\u201cPakistan has consistently maintained that disputes should be resolved through the mechanisms already provided in the treaty rather than through unilateral actions and using water as a weapon,\u201d he said. Dr Adnan Khan warned that attempts to use water as a political tool could create dangerous precedents in international relations.
\n\u201cIf the so-called principle that an upper riparian state can unilaterally suspend water-sharing arrangements gains acceptance, it could have negative implications far beyond South Asia and potentially influence other international river disputes,\u201d he observed. He added that climate change, increasing water scarcity and growing populations make adherence to established water-sharing agreements more important than ever.
\nThe experts emphasized that the Indus River system supports Pakistan\u2019s agriculture, food production, hydropower generation and drinking water supplies. Millions of farmers depend on irrigation from the western rivers, while numerous industries and urban centers rely on the same water resources.
\nThey warned that prolonged uncertainty regarding water cooperation could adversely affect agricultural productivity, food security and rural livelihoods. Environmental consequences could also emerge, including reduced freshwater flows affecting wetlands, mangrove forests, fisheries and biodiversity.
\nThe experts reiterated that species such as the endangered Indus River dolphin and indigenous masher fish populations depend upon maintaining healthy river ecosystems and these species will likely to be vanished if river water was blocked.
\nThe experts further argued that procedural issues such as delays in data sharing, reduced technical cooperation and prolonged disputes over water infrastructure by India could weaken confidence-building measures established under the treaty over several decades.
\nThe World Bank, which facilitated the treaty and continues to play a procedural role under certain dispute-resolution provisions, remains an important stakeholder in preserving one of the world\u2019s longest-standing international water-sharing agreements. Calling for continued diplomatic engagement, Asif Yousafzai said Pakistan should continue pursuing legal and diplomatic avenues available under international law.
\n\u201cOur objective is not confrontation but compliance with international commitments. Treaties are intended to provide certainty and stability, particularly during periods of political tension,\u201d he said.
\nThe experts unanimously stressed that, at a time when climate change is intensifying water scarcity across South Asia, preserving internationally recognized mechanisms for transboundary water cooperation is essential for regional peace, sustainable development and the welfare of millions of people dependent on the Indus Basin.
\nThe expressed the hope that international community will think beyond trade and put pressure on fascist Modi Govt to restore IWT imperative for peace and life of millions of people in the region.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR: Legal experts, political analysts and international relations scholars have strongly condemned the Indian Govt\u2019s decision to place the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, arguing that the illegal move undermines international law, threatens regional stability and raises serious concerns over water security for millions of people dependent on the Indus River system. Speaking to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-554143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-peshawar"],"yoast_head":"\n