May 15, 2025: The Indus Water Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan under the auspices of the World Bank, is a landmark bilateral agreement that governs the distribution and use of waters from the Indus River system shared by the two countries. It allocates control over the six major rivers of the Indus basin, granting Pakistan exclusive rights to the three western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—while India controls the three eastern rivers—Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej.
For Pakistan, the treaty is vital as the western rivers constitute about 70% of the total water flow, making it the backbone of the country’s agriculture, drinking water, and overall ecosystem health. The treaty was designed to ensure equitable water sharing in a spirit of cooperation, even during periods of conflict, and has been regarded as one of the most successful water-sharing agreements globally.
However, the treaty’s significance extends beyond mere water allocation. Pakistan, as the downstream riparian, faces ongoing environmental challenges exacerbated by water quality degradation and climate change. For instance, the Ravi River, under India’s control, has become one of the world’s most polluted rivers due to unchecked industrial and pharmaceutical waste discharge, severely impacting ecosystems and public health downstream in Pakistan.
Moreover, the broader Indus basin is experiencing ecological stress, including reduced water flows, vanishing mangroves in the delta, and altered glacial melt patterns, all of which threaten biodiversity and increase vulnerability to floods and droughts.
The treaty permits India limited use of western rivers for non-consumptive purposes such as hydropower generation, but Pakistan remains wary of potential upstream projects that could affect flow patterns, especially during geopolitical tensions. In April 2025, India suspended the treaty citing national security concerns, raising fears in Pakistan about water security and prompting the government to declare water a vital national interest, warning that any disruption would be considered an act of war.
Environmental experts emphasize that while the treaty has successfully managed water distribution for decades, it requires modernization to address emerging challenges like climate change and pollution. Protecting the freshwater ecosystems of the Indus basin is crucial not only for sustaining agriculture and livelihoods but also for preserving biodiversity, controlling floods, and mitigating climate impacts.
The Indus Water Treaty remains a cornerstone for Pakistan’s water security and environmental sustainability, but evolving geopolitical and ecological realities demand renewed cooperation and adaptive management to safeguard this precious resource for future generations.