ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan will host an international seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) here today, with water experts from around the globe set to participate.
The conference aims to highlight Pakistan’s rights under international law, build consensus on water security, and address India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty.
The event being held in Islamabad is jointly organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS).
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said water is Pakistan’s lifeline and red line, stressing that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be suspended unilaterally.
He said the seminar will be the first international event of its kind on the Indus Waters Treaty in Pakistan adding Pakistan’s position on the treaty has been accepted internationally.
“Indus Waters Treaty can’t be suspended unilaterally”
Tarar said the Indus Waters Treaty was formally recognized by both Pakistan and India and added that the prime minister and the Field Marshal have repeatedly stated that water is a matter of Pakistan’s survival.
The minister said Pakistan’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty has been very clear that the treaty cannot be suspended by one side alone.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Climate Change Musaddiq Malik said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to commit “water terrorism” against Pakistan.
Malik said Pakistan raised IWT internationally over the last one to two months. He said 20% to 25% of Pakistan’s economy is linked to agriculture, while a large section of the population depends on agriculture for livelihood — and agriculture depends on water. Malik said Pakistan has made it clear that it will not compromise on its share of water.
