Pakistan urges India to resume normal functioning of Indus Waters Treaty
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Setting aside key green provisions in view of national interest, an environment ministry panel has given "in-principle" approval to divert more than 847 hectares of reserved forest and 'jungle-jhari' land for construction of the 1,856MW Sawalkot Hydroelectric Project in Ramban district of Jammu & Kashmir. Final approval will be subject to grant of environment clearance by the J&K govt, but the urgent move signals the intent to harness the potential of Chenab river following suspension of Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan.
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday accused India of weaponising water, warning that New Delhi could not unilaterally back out of the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) – a move Islamabad views as a direct threat to regional stability. 'The enemy is trying to use water as a weapon,' Sharif said, in an unmistakable reference to India, during a visit to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). 'We will not allow unilateral action on the Indus Waters Treaty.' Sharif's remarks come amid rising concerns in Islamabad over India's recent posture on transboundary water rights, a flashpoint that could escalate further under mounting climate stress and geopolitical rivalry. Amid the warning, Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to build non-controversial water reservoirs including the long-delayed Diamer-Bhasha Dam, using its own resources. 'Pakistan will not beg. We will build, and we will do so with dignity,' he added. He also delivered a scathing critique of climate injustice, noting that Pakistan contributes little to global emissions yet finds itself on the frontline of climate catastrophe. 'We are now on the map of nations vulnerable to cloudbursts and glacial bursts – events we did not cause, but must now survive,' he said. Sharif's comments came against the backdrop of last week's devastating floods in Swat Valley, which killed at least 49 people and left dozens injured. He called the tragedy 'a national wound,' demanding a detailed review that rises above political fault lines. 'The entire nation mourns Swat incident. Let this not be buried in bureaucracy or politics,' he said, directing NDMA to compile a comprehensive report and design coordinated disaster strategies with provincial authorities. Sharif praised the modernisation of the NDMA following the catastrophic 2022 floods, which he said wiped out homes and crops over thousands of acres. He lauded the agency's role in early warning and risk awareness but stressed the need for greater preparedness amid worsening climate shocks. Touring the NEOC's upgraded facilities, he promised federal government's support to scale up disaster response and resilience. He said he had already instructed Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik to pursue global grants and public-private partnerships to fund resilient infrastructure – 'not loans, but investments,' he emphasised. 'Pakistan must be ready. The next disaster will not wait for red tape,' he warned. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Despite simmering tensions, Pakistan and India adhered to the bilateral agreement on Consular Access, as the two nuclear-armed neighbours, through diplomatic channels, on Tuesday exchanged lists of prisoners in each other's custody. As part of the agreement signed in 2008, Pakistan and India exchange list of prisoners twice a year on 1st January and 1st July. Given the ongoing tensions, the latest exchange of lists was seen as significant. Many bilateral arrangements between Pakistan and India are under threat after the Pahalgam attack that brought the two countries almost close to a catastrophic war. India before launching strikes inside Pakistan unilaterally suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. Pakistan, meanwhile, threatened to walk away from the 1972 Shimla Accord, though no final decision was taken yet. Against this backdrop, the two countries, however, implemented their understanding on Consular Access. "Today (Tuesday), Pakistan and India exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the lists of prisoners in each other's custody. The exchange of lists took place in pursuance of the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008," read a statement issued here by the foreign office. The Agreement requires both sides to share the lists of prisoners in each other's custody on 1st January and 1st July, every year. The Indian External Affairs Ministry also issued a similar statement. The Foreign Office read out said the Government of Pakistan handed over a list of 246 Indian or believed-to-be-Indian prisoners (53 civilian prisoners and 193 fishermen) to a representative of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad. Simultaneously, the Government of India shared a list of 463 Pakistani or believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners (382 civilian prisoners and 81 fishermen) to a diplomat from the High Commission for Pakistan, New Delhi. It said the Government of Pakistan called for immediate release and repatriation of all those Pakistani prisoners and fishermen, who have completed their respective sentence and whose national status stands confirmed. "A request for special consular access has also been made for all believed-to-be-Pakistani prisoners, including the physically- and mentally-challenged prisoners for expeditious confirmation of their national status, "according to the statement. The Government of India has been urged to provide consular access to all those prisoners to whom consular access is still awaited. The Indian side has also been urged to ensure safety, security, and well-being of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian custody. "The Government of Pakistan remains committed to addressing humanitarian matters as a priority. It will continue its endeavors to ensure early return of all Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails," it said.
