United Nations/Islamabad – India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has raised alarm at the United Nations, with experts warning that the move undermines international law and threatens regional stability, humanitarian security, and the livelihoods of millions in Pakistan.

At a high-level event organised by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN and the Muslim-American Leadership Alliance (MALA) on September 12, 2025, speakers condemned New Delhi’s decision to hold the Treaty in abeyance, calling it a violation of binding international obligations. The event, themed “Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan’s Water Crisis: Challenges and the Way Forward,” drew diplomats, academics, water experts, and civil society. It was moderated by Ms. Saima Saleem, Counsellor at the Pakistan Mission.

Legal and Humanitarian Stakes

Keynote speaker Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, said the Treaty remains legally intact, citing recent rulings of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) that reaffirmed its validity. “These rulings leave no ambiguity; no party has the authority to unilaterally suspend or abandon this agreement,” he said.

He warned that weaponising water denies a basic human right, with dire consequences for public health, food security, and dignity. He further stressed that Indian actions risk destabilizing an already volatile region, with the UN Security Council having recognized the link between resource management and international peace.

The IWT sustains 80% of Pakistan’s irrigated farming, secures nearly a quarter of its food needs, and supports 68% of rural livelihoods, directly affecting 240 million people.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier described India’s move as an “act of war,” warning at a May conference in Dushanbe that Pakistan would not allow New Delhi to endanger millions of lives for political gains.

MALA Chairperson Maha Khan echoed these concerns, calling water scarcity “a pressing threat to livelihoods, stability, and human dignity.” She said MALA’s collaboration with Pakistan’s Mission reflects its long-standing commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly on water security.

Expert Insights

Independent legal consultant Dr. Kishor Uprety said terrorism allegations cannot justify suspension, noting that the Treaty has no exit clause. He urged strict adherence to international law, warning of far-reaching consequences across Asia.

Former World Bank expert Dr. Masood Ahmad emphasised strengthening irrigation systems and water efficiency to ensure resilience. Supreme Court lawyer Dawood Ghazanavi highlighted humanitarian costs, accusing India of withholding hydrological data and building dams in violation of international conventions. “Forty-five per cent of Pakistan’s livelihoods primarily depend on the Indus,” he warned.

On August 8, the PCA ruled in Pakistan’s favour, stating that India must allow the unrestricted flow of Western rivers. Legal scholar Shahmeer Halepota called for reforming dispute-resolution mechanisms, criticising the World Bank’s silence and urging consolidation under the PCA to ensure timely rulings.

Floods and UN Response

Tensions escalated after India’s sudden dam releases on August 26 displaced 200,000 people, killed 15, and destroyed tens of thousands of acres of crops in Punjab. Pakistan condemned the act as turning water into a weapon. The UN responded with a $5 million emergency allocation from its Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to support relief operations.

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Pakistan’s Foreign Office also noted that India shared flood warnings through diplomatic channels instead of the Indus Waters Commission, as required by the Treaty.

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Call for Collective Action

Closing the event, Pakistan’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Usman Jadoon, said the Treaty remains “a binding and enduring international instrument” and described the Indus River system as Pakistan’s lifeline and a “shared heritage of humanity.”

“Denial of critical data sharing translates into food insecurity, displacement, and heightened vulnerabilities — especially for women, children, and the poor,” he warned, urging the UN, World Bank, and civil society to reinforce implementation and cooperative solutions.

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