Pakistan convenes an international conference after India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty following the Pahalgam terror attack
With fears of an acute water crisis looming amid an intense heatwave, Pakistan has stepped up its diplomatic campaign over the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), hosting an international conference in Islamabad and issuing dire warnings that the global rules-based order could collapse if the treaty is not restored.
India suspended the World Bank-brokered Indus Waters Treaty after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed. New Delhi cited Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism and declared that the treaty would remain in abeyance until Islamabad takes credible and irreversible action against terror networks.
Pakistan raises alarm over water crisis
Speaking at the conference titled “The Indus Waters Treaty: A Key Instrument for Peace and Regional Stability”, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar described India’s decision as “illegal” and claimed that no country could unilaterally suspend a treaty that contains no such provision.
Dar argued that the treaty has served as a pillar of regional stability for over six decades and insisted that water should never be used as a political tool.
He further warned that any reduction or diversion of water allocated to Pakistan under the treaty would have serious implications for regional peace and security.
The conference comes as Pakistan grapples with growing concerns over water availability, with forecasts suggesting another punishing summer and worsening pressure on agriculture and drinking water supplies.
Bilawal Bhutto escalates rhetoric
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also struck a defiant tone, declaring that the Indus River was “not a bargaining chip” and urging the international community to adopt a convention against the “weaponisation of waterways.”
Claiming that Pakistan would never compromise on its water rights, Bilawal warned that any attempt to undermine Pakistan’s share of river waters would invite a nationwide response.
Without addressing India’s longstanding concerns over cross-border terrorism, he argued that using water as leverage violated international law.
Minister warns of collapse of global treaties
One of the strongest remarks came from Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, who attempted to elevate the dispute into a global issue.
“If the Indus Waters Treaty doesn’t hold, no world order that is on paper post-World War II will remain secure,” Malik claimed, calling the agreement one of the strongest international treaties ever signed.
Pakistan also alleged that India had recently reduced water flows in the Chenab River, accusations New Delhi has not responded to publicly.
India links treaty to terrorism
India has consistently maintained that the suspension of the treaty is directly linked to Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism.
Speaking recently at a United Nations event marking World Water Day 2026, India’s Permanent Representative Harish Parvathaneni said New Delhi was compelled to place the treaty in abeyance after repeated terrorist attacks and failed bilateral engagement.
He reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty would remain suspended until Pakistan takes credible, verifiable and irreversible steps to dismantle terror infrastructure operating from its soil.
Treaty under unprecedented strain
Signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, the Indus Waters Treaty governs the sharing of waters from the Indus river system. India controls the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas and Sutlej—while Pakistan receives waters from the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
The agreement survived multiple wars between the two countries for decades. However, relations sharply deteriorated after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, followed by India’s Operation Sindoor and the subsequent suspension of diplomatic engagement and the water-sharing pact.
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Fully agree that India ONLY has to live in peace while rest of the neighbours can do anything and it is India only who need to bend, for India is a weak country and anyone can bully it i.e. Nepal or Bangladesh or Mauritius and any smaller nation or smaller island or tiniest island like Hawaii can make India fall on its knees.
India is a banana country and its leaders are also totally weak & senile
Porkistan brought peace to world by solving Iran-USA war.
It is a nuclear power & is king of Islamic NATO which has technology stolen from all nations supported by Allah and is going to challenge israel, India, USA & Europe.