Pakistan Official Calls Indus Waters Treaty a Lifeline for 240 Million

Mehr Ali Shah said the Indus Waters Treaty is about the lives of 240 million Pakistanis ^[1].

The statement underscores the treaty's role as a fundamental pillar of Pakistan's water security. Because the nation relies heavily on the Indus river system for agriculture and drinking water, any disruption to the agreement could threaten the survival of a significant portion of the population.

Shah said the treaty is a vital necessity for the country. He said the agreement is not merely a legal document but a matter of existence for the people of Pakistan. This perspective aligns with broader government positions that view the treaty as a non-negotiable lifeline for the state's 240 million citizens ^[1].

Water rights between India and Pakistan have remained a point of contention for decades. The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank in 1960, governs the distribution of the Indus and its tributaries. Pakistan has consistently vowed that there will be no compromise on the terms of the treaty, citing the direct impact on its food security, and economic stability.

Shah's comments highlight the scale of the potential crisis if the treaty were to fail. With a population of 240 million ^[1], Pakistan is one of the most water-stressed countries in the region. The treaty provides a framework to prevent conflict over shared water resources—a necessity given the geopolitical tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Officials said the treaty remains the only viable mechanism for managing the river basin. By framing the issue around the lives of millions, the Pakistani government emphasizes that water security is synonymous with national security.