Issue Brief on “The Indus Waters Treaty Suspension and Pakistan’s Water Scarcity Crisis”

On April 22, 2025, an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, located in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), caused significant casualties and further intensified deep-rooted tensions between Pakistan and India. Without evidence and proper investigation, India blamed Pakistan for facilitating attackers, which Islamabad strongly rejected and responded proportionately. This incident prompted the Indian government to hold the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in abeyance unilaterally. Such a sudden and illegal move contravenes the treaty negotiated by the World Bank, and this is a major cause of concern to regional stability. Pakistan has criticized this move as a violation of international law and an aggressive action, and has taken legal action and the matter is under international judicial review.[1]

The IWT between Pakistan and India was signed on September 19, 1960, mediated by the World Bank, and is acknowledged as one of the most significant water-sharing agreements. This agreement allocated control over the three Eastern rivers, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej, to India and the three Western rivers, Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, to Pakistan.[2] For over six decades, the treaty has served as a cornerstone of stability in South Asia, despite frequent political and military tensions.

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