New york: At the United Nations, Pakistan has raised alarms over the weaponization of water, labeling it a significant threat to civilization, livelihoods, and regional stability. Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik delivered this warning through a video message during a high-level event marking World Water Day.

According to Radio Pakistan, Dr. Malik criticized India's unilateral move to politicize water by placing the Indus Waters Treaty into abeyance. He described this action as an attack on Pakistan's civilization, livelihoods, and economic future. He emphasized that such a move, amid shifting geopolitical landscapes, is not only unjustified and illegal but also undermines a longstanding framework of cooperation between the two nations.

Dr. Malik highlighted the critical role of agriculture in Pakistan's economy and society, noting that about 25 to 30 percent of the country's GDP is tied to agriculture. Additionally, nearly half of Pakistan's workforce is employed in the agricultural sector. He underscored that more than sixty-one percent of women's employment in Pakistan is linked to agriculture, pointing to the direct relationship between water access, women's empowerment, and economic well-being.

Dr. Malik also drew attention to the human and social consequences of climate-induced disasters in Pakistan. Over the past four major floods, nearly six thousand people have died, around twenty thousand have been injured or disabled, and approximately 40 million people have been displaced. These figures highlight the urgent need for a cooperative and sustainable approach to water management in the region.