Islamabad – The suspension or tightening of cooperation under the Indus Waters Treaty between India and Pakistan has led to significantly reduced water flow into Pakistan’s major dams, severely affecting irrigation needs during the crucial summer crop sowing season. This development has raised alarms across Pakistan’s agricultural regions, particularly in Punjab and Sindh, where millions depend on canal-fed farming.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the sharing of water from six rivers flowing from India into Pakistan. While the treaty has withstood wars and diplomatic breakdowns for over six decades, recent geopolitical tensions and India’s decision to exercise stricter control over its share of eastern rivers have caused growing strain.
Sources in Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) confirmed that water levels in key reservoirs such as Mangla and Tarbela dams have dropped sharply in recent weeks, coinciding with India's reduction of surplus flow. This has disrupted water availability for kharif crop cultivation, which includes staples like cotton, rice, sugarcane, and maize.
Farmers in Pakistan are already reporting delays in sowing activities. Agricultural unions have raised concerns over crop failure, food inflation, and rural employment losses if the water shortage persists. “Our canals are running dry at a time when we need water the most. If the government does not act quickly, we could face a major agricultural crisis,” said a farmer from Sindh’s Jacobabad district.
India has maintained that its actions are within the bounds of the treaty, which allows it full usage of the eastern rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Officials in New Delhi argue that better water storage and hydroelectric projects are part of domestic development goals and do not violate treaty obligations. In recent years, India has also expressed dissatisfaction over Pakistan’s repeated objections to Indian infrastructure projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
In Pakistan, the water shortage is becoming a politically sensitive issue. Opposition parties have blamed the government for failing to anticipate the crisis and not pursuing diplomatic options early. The Foreign Office in Islamabad has called on the World Bank and other international bodies to intervene and mediate, urging India to maintain historical cooperation.
Environmental experts warn that climate change, glacier melt, and shifting monsoon patterns could worsen the situation on both sides of the border. “The Indus Basin is already water-stressed. Political escalation will only make things worse for ordinary people,” said a South Asia water policy analyst.
As both countries prepare for elections and continue to navigate diplomatic strain, the Indus Waters Treaty — once seen as a symbol of cooperation — is now at the center of a growing resource and security challenge. With crops at risk and reservoirs drying up, the coming weeks will be critical for millions dependent on the waters of the Indus.
