DUSHANBE – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued a strong warning to India over its handling of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), asserting that Pakistan will not tolerate any move that compromises the agreement or weaponizes water resources for political leverage.

Speaking at the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation in Tajikistan, PM Shehbaz condemned India’s “unilateral and unlawful” suspension of the treaty, which regulates water distribution from the Indus River system shared by the two countries. He cautioned that such actions endanger millions of lives and pose a serious threat to regional stability.

“Pakistan will not permit any violation of the red lines established by the Indus Waters Treaty,” the Prime Minister stated. “Water must not be used as a tool for coercion. We cannot allow political motives to jeopardize the lives and livelihoods of millions.”

The three-day global conference, held from May 29 to 31, brought together over 2,500 participants, including representatives from 80 UN member states and 70 international organizations. It served as a platform to address the growing environmental threats posed by glacial melt and climate change, particularly in high-risk regions like Pakistan.

Highlighting his country’s climate vulnerability, PM Shehbaz recalled the catastrophic floods of 2022, which were triggered by unprecedented glacial melting. Despite contributing less than 0.5% to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan ranks among the world’s ten most climate-vulnerable nations.

“With over 13,000 glaciers, Pakistan is facing a climate emergency,” he noted. “These glaciers feed the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej rivers — all crucial to our survival. Their depletion spells disaster for our ecosystems, food security, and economy.”

The Prime Minister warned that scientific projections point toward increased flooding followed by dwindling river flows in the years ahead, due to rapid glacial retreat. He stressed the urgent need for global cooperation and sustainable climate strategies.

“The consequences of inaction are dire — displaced communities, lost agriculture, and ecological collapse,” he said.

Calling for robust international support, PM Shehbaz urged developed nations to fulfill their climate finance promises, emphasizing the importance of funding for climate adaptation, mitigation, and disaster preparedness.

He also reminisced about swimming in the River Ravi during his childhood, using the memory to underscore the cultural and ecological importance of rivers fed by glaciers. He compared Pakistan’s rivers to Tajikistan’s Vakhsh River, stressing the shared responsibility of protecting transboundary water resources.

“Rivers connect us. They are lifelines that cross borders and bind our destinies. Let us rise to the occasion and safeguard these invaluable gifts of nature,” he concluded.

The conference, backed by the UN and other international organizations, marks a critical step in global efforts to preserve glaciers and combat climate change. It also underscores the deepening tensions between India and Pakistan over shared water resources amidst a rapidly changing climate.