ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday Pakistan faced a “new threat in the form of the weaponization of water,” accusing India of violating the Indus Waters Treaty during his address to the World Summit for Social Development in Doha.
The 1960 treaty, brokered by the World Bank, divides the waters of the Indus River system between India and Pakistan and has long been regarded as one of the world’s most durable water-sharing agreements. It allocates the three western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab — to Pakistan, and the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas and Sutlej — to India.
Tensions over water have intensified in recent years as India expanded hydropower projects on western-river tributaries. Pakistan has repeatedly voiced concern that such developments could reduce downstream flows, while New Delhi maintains they remain within treaty limits.
In April 2025, following a militant attack in India-administered Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan, India announced it was placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The treaty had never before been suspended despite decades of conflict. Pakistan has said any attempt to stop its share of waters will be considered an “act of war.”
