Shahzad Rasheed
Peshawar: Chief Organiser of the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF), Ahmad Jawad has stated that the continued implementation and preservation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is indispensable for ensuring peace, regional stability, and sustainable development in South Asia. He emphasized that the treaty remains the cornerstone of the fair and equitable distribution of water resources between Pakistan and India and should not be undermined through unilateral actions.
Addressing the Indus Waters Treaty Seminar on tuesday, Ahmad Jawad said that any unilateral suspension or violation of the treaty is not only inconsistent with its spirit and legal framework but also poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability.
Jawad stressed that water is not merely an economic resource but a vital lifeline for millions of people. Any unilateral attempt to alter the natural flow of rivers or manipulate water management without mutual consultation could have devastating consequences for Pakistan’s agricultural sector. He pointed out that nearly 80 percent of Pakistan’s agriculture depends directly on river water, making uninterrupted and predictable water flows essential for the country’s food production, rural livelihoods, and overall economic stability.
According to Ahmad Jawad, unilateral policies concerning shared water resources not only violate international agreements but also erode confidence between states. He argued that water should serve as a source of cooperation rather than conflict, and that mutual respect, dialogue, and adherence to international treaties are the only sustainable foundations for long-term peace and prosperity in South Asia.
He cautioned that if India proceeds with the construction of additional upstream water infrastructure or undertakes projects that significantly alter the natural flow of rivers allocated under the Indus Waters Treaty, regional tensions could escalate further. Such actions, he said, would undermine the principles of international law governing transboundary water resources and increase the risk of confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. He also called upon the international community to play a more active and constructive role in ensuring respect for international treaties, promoting the equitable management of transboundary water resources, and supporting initiatives aimed at maintaining lasting peace and stability in South Asia.
Ahmad Jawad further warned that Pakistan should not be compelled to take measures to safeguard its legitimate water rights. He stated that if India continues what he described as unlawful actions affecting Pakistan’s water resources, Islamabad would be left with no option but to consider all necessary measures to protect its national interests. He cautioned that any escalation of the dispute could have serious consequences for regional peace and economic stability.
He reiterated that the Indus Waters Treaty is not merely a legal document for Pakistan but a matter of agricultural survival and national food security. According to him, any attempt to deprive Pakistan of its rightful share of water would directly threaten the livelihoods of millions of citizens and jeopardize the country’s long-term economic sustainability. He also reaffirmed that the people of Pakistan have an undeniable and historic right to the waters of the Indus River. Stretching from Gilgit-Baltistan through Punjab and into Sindh, the Indus River has sustained civilizations, supported agriculture, and nurtured generations for centuries.
He further reiterated that lasting peace in South Asia can only be achieved through cooperation, mutual respect, and full compliance with international agreements. The responsibility now, he said, lies with India to demonstrate its commitment to these principles and to ensure that shared water resources remain a bridge for regional cooperation rather than a cause of conflict.
