ISLAMABAD: Islamabad will host a “first of its kind” Indus Waters Treaty conference on Tuesday featuring water and legal experts from all over the world, Pakistani federal ministers said, stressing the need to build consensus on building dams to regulate the country’s water storage capacity.
Pakistan has warned that it will not let India violate the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by blocking or diverting its flow of water. The IWT, brokered between the two rivals in 1960, governs the distribution of waters from the Indus river system between the two countries.
India announced in April 2025 that it was holding the treaty in abeyance unilaterally after blaming Islamabad for supporting a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an impartial probe into the attack. Pakistan has warned that India is pursuing reservoir, expansion and diversion projects on rivers covered by the IWT.
Speaking to reporters at a news conference, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the IWT seminar will be attended by international water and legal experts.
“And under this seminar, awareness will be given that what is Pakistan’s right on water, on rivers according to the Indus Waters Treaty, what is that right, what is its nature, and what are its different aspects,” Tarar said.
“So, this is a first-of its kind international seminar.”
The minister said when the IWT is discussed internationally, global experts acknowledge Pakistan’s water rights that are a part of it. He said this was a victory for Islamabad in the “narrative domain.”
Flanked by Tarar, Climate Change Minister Dr. Musadik Malik warned that Pakistan will not let India stop its flow of water.
“We have already announced that whoever touches our water, we will cut their hands,” he said.
Malik stressed the need to build a consensus on building dams in the country among political parties. He said dams were especially necessary as they ensured water was available in storage for farmers when they required it at particular times of the year for fields.
“We should at least agree that we need to regulate the water [flow] and we need dams,” he said. “God willing, there will be no dispute with any political party regarding this.”
