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India is setting a dangerous precedent by violating the Indus Waters Treaty. PHOTO: REUTERS
ISLAMABAD:
National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources Chairman Ahmad Atteeq Anwer has called on the international community to take action against what he described as direct violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by India.
In an interview, he urged the global community to take notice and help ensure compliance with the decades-old water-sharing agreement.
Anwer said that Pakistan intends to raise the matter in international forums and pursue the matter through the Permanent Court of Arbitration to seek legal relief under the provisions of the treaty.
He said the committee had conveyed the gravity of the situation to the international community and stressed that India is “using water resources as a weapon”.
Stressing the need for regional peace and economic stability, the President said India must be pressured by the international community to comply with the Indus Waters Treaty.
The IWT, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the use of water from the Indus river system between the two neighboring countries.
It is widely regarded as one of the most enduring water-sharing agreements in the world, having survived several periods of political and military tension.
Anwer emphasized that Pakistan would engage with friendly nations that maintain strong diplomatic ties with India and urged them to play a constructive role in encouraging compliance with the treaty.
“We will reach out to our brotherly and friendly countries that have good relations with India to help stop violations of the IWT and support a just solution,” he said.
He warned that continued disputes over water resources could have serious consequences for regional stability, agriculture and economic development.
“Water security is directly linked to food security and economic sustainability. Any unilateral action undermines trust and threatens long-term peace in the region,” he added.
