Islamabad : Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has cautioned that the use of shared transboundary water resources as a tool of pressure or leverage could pose serious risks to regional stability and even global peace.
He made these remarks while addressing a conference in Brussels titled “Transboundary Water Resources: A Weaponised Global Common,” where he underscored the need for strict adherence to international law and treaty obligations in managing shared water systems.
Dar stressed that rivers and cross-border water flows should act as a bridge between nations rather than a source of dispute. He urged countries to strengthen cooperation and avoid actions that could turn natural resources into instruments of political or strategic confrontation.
The conference was jointly organised by the Centre for European Policy Studies and the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and climate experts to discuss global water governance challenges.
The deputy prime minister highlighted that effective management of shared rivers through agreements and mutual understanding is essential for lasting peace. He warned that weak governance and competing national interests could transform water into a source of tension.
Citing former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, he noted that water crises are often the result of poor governance rather than physical scarcity, and stressed that proper frameworks can instead promote cooperation and stability.
Referring to the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 between Pakistan and India, he said it remains a rare and enduring example of water-sharing diplomacy that has survived decades of political tensions and even conflicts.
He added that Pakistan has consistently relied on the treaty’s legal mechanisms to address concerns over water distribution. However, he warned that any unilateral actions undermining such agreements could threaten regional peace.
Dar also pointed to concerns over infrastructure projects on shared rivers, saying they may alter natural flows and contribute to emerging patterns of “hydro-hegemony,” which could have serious consequences for downstream countries.
He said the Indus River system is vital for Pakistan’s agriculture, economy, and livelihoods, and any disruption in its flow could create major humanitarian and economic challenges.
Emphasising that water must never be used as a coercive instrument, he said it should be treated as a shared responsibility essential for human survival and sustainable development.
He further highlighted successful examples of cross-border water cooperation in Europe, where treaty-based systems have helped ensure stability and shared benefits among nations.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy and international legal frameworks, he noted that the country continues to advocate peaceful and cooperative solutions to disputes while also remaining highly vulnerable to climate change impacts despite contributing less than one percent of global emissions.
He concluded by calling on the international community to strengthen collaboration on water governance and climate resilience, expressing hope that the Brussels conference would contribute to better global understanding of shared water management.
