Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan would protect its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty, calling them an inalienable right and the country’s lifeline.
In a post on X, Tarar said India’s unilateral attempt to hold the treaty in abeyance had “no legal or moral standing.”
“Pakistan’s right to water under the IWT is its inalienable right. It is our lifeline which we will protect,” he said.
Tarar said India’s move had caused New Delhi embarrassment and amounted to a violation of the “One Water-One Vision” principle endorsed by the United Nations.
His remarks came amid renewed tensions between Pakistan and India over the Indus Waters Treaty, a key water-sharing agreement governing the Indus River system.
Pakistan has repeatedly said the treaty cannot be suspended, revoked or amended unilaterally. Islamabad maintains that any attempt to disrupt Pakistan’s allocated water share would violate international obligations.
The Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, allocates the waters of the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — to India, while Pakistan receives waters from the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
The treaty has long been considered one of the most important agreements between the two countries despite repeated periods of political and military tension.
