Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly asserted that Pakistan will protect its right to water as guaranteed by the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). His statement came on the occasion of World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, observed annually on June 17. He emphasized that access to water is a lifeline for over 240 million people in Pakistan.
In his message, the Prime Minister raised serious concerns over India’s unilateral actions that, he said, aim to place the treaty in abeyance. He warned that such actions have no legal basis under the IWT and threaten the region’s stability. At the same time, he announced that Pakistan would boost its domestic water storage capacity to better manage future water challenges.
Highlighting the theme of this year’s global observance—“Restore the land. Unlock the opportunities”—PM Shehbaz underlined the urgent need to reverse land degradation. He pointed out that nearly 50% of Pakistan’s land is already affected by deforestation, salinity, overgrazing, and unplanned urbanization. He also noted that climate change has worsened conditions, bringing frequent droughts, floods, and wildfires.
To tackle these problems, the Prime Minister said the government is implementing major initiatives like the Green Pakistan Programme, which has already led to the plantation of over 2.2 billion trees. He added that sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration are key parts of Pakistan’s climate resilience strategy.
Moreover, the government is actively pursuing the National Climate Change Policy and National Adaptation Plan. These frameworks aim to ensure better land use and protect biodiversity while fulfilling Pakistan’s obligations under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), to which Pakistan has been a signatory since 1997.
Calling for unity, PM Shehbaz urged citizens, government bodies, and civil society to join hands in restoring the nation’s land. He stressed that collective efforts today will secure a healthier, greener, and more climate-resilient Pakistan for future generations.