Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday accused India of “weaponizing water” by manipulating the flow of water in his country.
Dar said Pakistan’s Water Treaty Commissioner had detected “abnormal, sudden changes” in water flow on the Chenab River between December 7 and 15, similar to what happened in April and May.
Dar said that New Delhi has been contacted on this issue.
In April, India unilaterally withdrew from the Indus Waters Treaty – which was negotiated by the World Bank in 1960 to ensure “equitable use” of the six rivers that flow into the Indus system – reportedly in response to a terrorist attack that killed 26 people in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22.
India justified the move by holding Islamabad responsible for the attack. Pakistan has vehemently denied any involvement and said Indian efforts to restrict, divert or increase water flow would be considered an “act of war”.
In addition to India’s withdrawal from the treaty, the April attack sparked hostilities between the neighboring countries in May, when drones, missiles and artillery fire killed about 70 people on both sides of the border, many of them civilians.
Why is India manipulating water flows in Pakistan?
Although India used the Kashmir situation as an opportunity to pull out of the 65-year-old treaty, it also cited “fundamental changes,” “population dynamics,” and “the need to accelerate the development of clean energy” as further justification.
India has also announced that construction of several new dams is underway on the important river.
“Such illegal and irresponsible conduct is likely to create a humanitarian crisis in Pakistan,” Dar said on Friday, adding that not only farmers but millions of Pakistani citizens will be affected.
New Delhi has not yet commented on the allegations.
In September, Pakistan was devastated by floods after India released large amounts of water into the river, destroying villages in East Pakistan.
At the time, India said it had warned Pakistan in advance about possible flooding.
Can international bodies help end the crisis?
Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India controls the eastern Ravi, Sutlej and Beas rivers, and Pakistan controls the western Jhelum, Chenab and Indus, which flow through Kashmir.
Dar said on Friday that Pakistan had contacted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the UN General Assembly to urge them to deal with the situation.
He also accused India of blocking access to advance information, hydrological data and joint monitoring mechanisms required under the Indus Water Treaty, exposing Pakistan to both floods and drought.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery