NEW DELHI: Pakistan has formally requested India to reassess its decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), emphasizing the critical reliance of millions on the water resources governed by the 1960 agreement. The appeal was conveyed through a letter from Syed Ali Murtaza, secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources, to Debashree Mukherjee, his counterpart at India’s Jal Shakti Ministry.
The communication, described as a blend of appeal and critique, labeled India’s suspension as “unilateral and illegal” and an “attack on the people of Pakistan and its economy.” Sources suggest the letter was likely sent during India’s Operation Sindoor, a period marked by heightened bilateral tensions. Pakistan’s plea underscores the treaty’s role in regulating water flow vital for its agricultural sector, particularly as the sowing season approaches.
India’s decision to put the IWT in abeyance followed a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. The Indian government justified the suspension as a response to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism. Despite the appeal, India remains steadfast, citing changed circumstances and ongoing security concerns as grounds for its stance.
The IWT, brokered by the World Bank, has historically been a cornerstone of water-sharing cooperation between the two nations, surviving multiple conflicts. Pakistan’s dependence on the Indus River system is significant, supporting 80% of its farmland and sustaining a substantial portion of its population and economy. The suspension has raised concerns in Pakistan about potential disruptions to water supply and agricultural productivity.