Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik has alleged that India’s actions regarding shared water resources have resulted in the deaths of around 6,000 people in Pakistan, stressing that water security has become a matter of justice, survival and regional peace.
Speaking at an international seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty, Malik said Pakistan had endured devastating floods and water-related challenges, adding that the issue extends beyond climate change and is fundamentally about fairness and the responsible management of shared water resources.
He said agriculture remains the primary source of livelihood for a large segment of Pakistan’s population, warning that controlling water flows and using water as a strategic tool threatens farmers and food security. According to the minister, water shortages are forcing many farmers to abandon agriculture, while the effects are also being felt beyond Pakistan, including in Bangladesh.
Malik reiterated that Pakistan would not compromise on its share of water under the Indus Waters Treaty, describing the agreement as one of the world’s strongest international water-sharing accords. He noted that the treaty remained in force despite three wars between Pakistan and India, arguing that undermining such an agreement would weaken confidence in international treaties worldwide.
The minister further claimed that India is not only attempting to control the flow of Pakistan’s water but is also among the world’s largest contributors to pollution. He alleged that India’s water-related actions had caused approximately 6,000 deaths and left thousands injured, saying such casualties exceed those seen in many armed conflicts.
Referring to international legal proceedings, Malik said the international arbitration court has ruled that no country can unilaterally suspend or terminate the Indus Waters Treaty. He also stated that the court has held that India cannot construct water storage projects on rivers allocated to Pakistan under the treaty.
Malik urged the international community to uphold the treaty, warning that failure to protect it could set a dangerous precedent for other downstream countries that rely on transboundary rivers.