Water crisis linked to national security, economic stability and inter-provincial harmony; national consensus essential for resolving water disputes, says Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan

By Farzana Chaudhry, Lahore, Pakistan

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has said that the Indus Waters Treaty is an international agreement whose status and any action concerning it must be determined in accordance with international law and established principles. Unilateral suspension or disregard of the treaty by either party cannot be accepted, he said, stressing that Pakistan must safeguard its water rights through a firm legal position, effective diplomacy and national consensus.

He was addressing a national seminar titled “The Indus Waters Treaty and National Security” at The University of Lahore. The Speaker said the water issue was not merely a dispute between two countries but was directly linked to Pakistan’s national security, agriculture, economic stability, environmental protection and the future of its people. He called for serious national dialogue on the issue, rising above political affiliations and regional divisions.

Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said international agreements were governed by established legal requirements and principles, and any suspension, termination or modification of a treaty must follow the relevant legal procedures. Pakistan, he said, should rely on sound legal arguments and a well-considered diplomatic strategy rather than respond emotionally to developments surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty.

Referring to water pollution and arsenic contamination of groundwater in his constituency, the Speaker said polluted water was adversely affecting the health, livelihoods and agricultural activities of rural communities. In several areas, groundwater had become unsuitable for drinking and agricultural use, making life increasingly difficult for local residents. He emphasised that the water crisis should not be viewed solely through a political or diplomatic lens, as its humanitarian and environmental consequences were equally serious.

He said the fair distribution of water within Pakistan and the concerns of its provinces must remain national priorities. Sindh had legitimate concerns over seawater intrusion and the resulting threats to agricultural land, settlements and local livelihoods, which could not be ignored. Trust, consultation and consensus among the federating units, he said, were essential for the effective and sustainable management of water resources.

The Speaker called for a more active role for constitutional and parliamentary forums, particularly the Council of Common Interests (CCI), in addressing water-related issues. Reports, recommendations and provincial positions presented under successive governments should be reviewed comprehensively, he said. Water experts, parliamentarians and provincial representatives should also be involved through relevant committees of the national and provincial legislatures to ensure that discussions lead to practical policy measures rather than remain confined to statements.

Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan cautioned against viewing water disputes through the prism of regional or provincial divisions. Pakistan, he said, was a shared national entity, and the national interest required safeguarding the legitimate rights and concerns of all provinces. National unity and mutual trust were indispensable to achieving a lasting resolution of water-related disputes.

Commenting on the regional situation, the Speaker said he was not an advocate of war and did not want to see further destruction or humanitarian suffering in the region. The devastating consequences of conflicts in different parts of the world were evident, he said. Pakistan believed in peace, dialogue and diplomacy; however, the country had the right to respond effectively to any aggression against its sovereignty, independence and national rights.

Highlighting the role of universities and parliament, Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan said informed debate, research and the exchange of diverse perspectives on national and international issues were essential for sound policymaking. Parliament, he said, should serve not only as a forum for legislation but also as a centre for meaningful debate on matters of national importance. Universities, through research and academic guidance, could make a valuable contribution to this process.

The Speaker thanked the organisers and participants, emphasising that sustained dialogue and a coordinated national strategy were essential to addressing Pakistan’s water challenges.