Member Sindh of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and Member (Water), Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh, Mohammad Ehsan ul Haq, on Monday said that India has no legal authority to unilaterally place the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, terming the move a violation of treaty principles and international norms.
In an interview with APP on Monday, he said the Indus Waters Treaty was a bilateral agreement between two states and could neither be terminated nor modified at the will of a single party.
He noted that despite this legal position, India announced in April 2025 that it was placing the treaty in abeyance, a step he described as technically invalid as no such power exists under the agreement.
Referring to subsequent regional developments, he said India had realized during the events of May 2025 that unilateral actions regarding the treaty were not feasible.
Explaining the treaty framework, he said under the IWT, the eastern rivers: Ravi, Beas and Sutlej were allocated to India, while the western rivers: Indus, Jhelum and Chenab were reserved for Pakistan.
He emphasized that water flows could not practically be stopped, citing the floods of 2025 as an example, when heavy flooding first affected Indian-administered Kashmir and adjoining regions before causing severe floods in Pakistan as well.
He termed India’s decision to hold the treaty in abeyance as contrary to established treaty obligations, stating that Pakistan had demonstrated diplomatically, technically and environmentally that the Indian move was unjustified. “India still claims the treaty is in abeyance, but it does not possess the authority to suspend it unilaterally,” he said.
Ehsan ul Haq further pointed out that under the treaty, flood-related information was required to be shared commissioner-to-commissioner; however, India shared such information through its foreign ministry instead, which he said deviated from agreed mechanisms.
He also alleged that India attempted to manipulate flows of the Chenab River a river allocated entirely to Pakistan under the treaty causing irregular water availability in parts of Punjab province. However, he added that Pakistan managed the situation through a permanent strategic mechanism, preventing any major damage, while the Government of Pakistan continued to monitor the issue.
He said it was also time to raise concerns regarding major drainage channels originating from Indian Punjab and falling into the Ravi River, carrying polluted water that was affecting groundwater quality in Lahore and adjoining areas. He stressed that meaningful dialogue on such issues could only take place once India acknowledged its actions at the international level.
Highlighting the broader importance of river systems, he said uninterrupted river flows were essential for the survival of states and should be viewed strategically not only for Pakistan but globally.
He underscored the significance of the Indus Delta, describing it as vital for Pakistan’s environmental and coastal security. A healthy and active delta, he said, protects Karachi and coastal regions from sea intrusion, helps prevent diseases, preserves biodiversity and sustains the ecological balance.
“The Indus Delta is not only Sindh’s delta; it is Pakistan’s delta,” he remarked.
He added that the Indus River System Authority and the Ministry of Water Resources were continuously holding consultations with provinces to develop long-term strategic solutions, while emphasizing the need for sustained diplomatic engagement at the international level to highlight that unilateral suspension of the treaty was unacceptable.