Pakistan committed to fair and peaceful use of water resources: PM Sharif

WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the fair, legal and peaceful use of water resources, stressing that water reservoirs play a critical role in a country’s economic stability, environmental protection and social wellbeing.

In a statement, the PM said Pakistan is a signatory to the 1971 international convention on water reservoirs and firmly believes in the just implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty. He emphasised that reliable water storage systems are essential for any country, particularly in mitigating the impacts of droughts, floods and climate change.

The prime minister noted that water reservoirs are a vital source of livelihood for millions of Pakistanis and form an indispensable part of their daily lives. “The protection of water resources at both individual and collective levels guarantees social welfare and sustainable development,” he said.

Highlighting the international dimension of water security, PM Shehbaz warned that any attempt to use water as a weapon constitutes a serious violation of international laws. He reiterated that Pakistan views its water reservoirs as national, environmental, social and cultural assets, and will continue efforts to safeguard them.

The prime minister added that Pakistan would keep raising its voice for the equitable, lawful and peaceful utilisation of shared water resources, in line with international norms and agreements.

Pakistan’s envoy Asim Iftikhar has also said that international agreements must be grounded in cooperation and should not be held hostage to geopolitics. He stressed that an arbitration ruling has clearly established that the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force and cannot be suspended unilaterally. Asim Iftikhar underlined that issues related to shared water resources are not a matter of discretion but are governed strictly by law.