Islamabad: The participants of a seminar titled “Water Crisis and the Indus Waters Treaty” have stressed the need of an integrated, evidence-based approach to manage water crisis in Pakistan. The seminar, jointly organized by OIC-COMSTECH, Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR), Hisaar Foundation, and the Panjwani-Hisaar Water Institute in Islamabad, delved different aspects of India’s unilateral and illegal decision of holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

According to Radio Pakistan, the event brought together thought leaders, legal experts, and policymakers to examine the implications of India’s actions and assess the future of international water treaties. Addressing the broader geopolitical implications of India’s announcement, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed called it a blow to regional diplomacy, warning that it could damage India’s global reputation and further strain its relations with China. He termed the weaponization of water as a crime against humanity.

Environmental legal expert Rafay Alam delved into the legal dimensions of the Indus Water Treaty and underlined Pakistan’s rights under international law and its potential recourse through the International Court of Justice. Climate expert Ali Tauqeer Sheikh discussed the compounded risks of climate change in the wake of the treaty’s suspension and called for a national water strategy to address Pakistan’s growing vulnerability.

Renowned defense analyst Ikram Sehgal linked India’s aggressive posture to a broader pattern of hostility, warning that water could become the new battleground if diplomatic solutions fail. Founder and Chairperson of the Hisaar Foundation Simi Kamal stressed the importance of an integrated, evidence-based approach to manage Pakistan’s water crisis, especially in the face of upstream interventions and climate change.

Chairperson Karachi Council on Foreign Relations Nadira Panjwani outlined the historical relevance of the 65-year-old treaty and warned of the potentially destabilizing consequences of its suspension. In his concluding remarks, Coordinator General OIC-COMSTECH, Dr. Iqbal Choudhary, emphasized the need for Pakistan to pursue all available diplomatic, legal, and multilateral channels to safeguard its water interests.