India accused of exploiting dam releases to flood Pakistani territories, sparking water war concerns
Flood Crisis Deepens in Punjab, Pakistan: Minister Ahsan Iqbal Accuses India of Water Aggression
Punjab, Pakistan, is currently grappling with a severe flood crisis, with vast areas of land inundated due to the overflowing of the Ravi, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers. The situation has claimed at least seven lives in the Gujranwala Division, according to reports.
In response to this calamity, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has issued a series of directives to provincial and district authorities to accelerate relief and rehabilitation efforts. She has ordered the field presence of commissioners and deputy commissioners, along with immediate documentation of damage caused to homes and crops.
Meanwhile, the Planning and Development Minister of Pakistan, Ahsan Iqbal, has accused India of "weaponizing water" by intentionally releasing torrents from its dams. He termed the water discharge from India as a "worst example" of water aggression.
Iqbal's remarks refer to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which binds both countries to share information with each other on water discharge. However, he criticized India for not sharing information in a timely manner, which he deemed extremely regrettable and inhumane.
In a statement made while supervising rescue and relief efforts in Kartarpur, Iqbal urged both countries to cooperate on the issue of water resources, stating that water aggression is beyond national disputes and political differences.
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has been put in abeyance by India's government in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April. The Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a Supplemental Award in the IWT case in June, stating that India could not unilaterally suspend the accord.
The arbitration court's ruling confirmed that India's unilateral actions could not undermine the jurisdiction of either the court of arbitration or the Neutral Expert in proceedings under the IWT. The Neutral Expert in the context of the Indus Waters Treaty is appointed to adjudicate disputes between India and Pakistan regarding the treaty's provisions; the current Neutral Expert's award is expected by the end of 2026, with their competence affirmed by January 2025 decisions.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has advised the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh to evacuate vulnerable communities residing along the katcha (riverine) areas and low-lying belts of the Indus River and its tributaries. Maryam Nawaz has directed the district administrations to restrict people from entering flood zones.
India, despite warning Pakistan about a potential flood situation, communicated this information via diplomatic channels rather than through the bilateral commission as required by the IWT. This lack of transparency has added to the crisis, making it difficult for authorities to prepare and respond effectively.
As the floodwaters continue to rise, the people of Punjab are left hoping for swift and effective action from their authorities and for cooperation from their neighbours to navigate this challenging time.
