ISLAMABAD: Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has cautioned that any strategic attempt to interfere with Pakistan’s allocated water share would amount to an act of war, warning of a direct and severe response.
He made it clear that the Indus Waters Treaty is protected under international legal frameworks and cannot be altered or dismantled by any signatory on a unilateral basis.
Addressing the Sixth Pakistan Water Week 2026, Mr Gilani asserted that the Indus Waters Treaty remains a binding international agreement and no party can unilaterally alter, suspend or revoke its provisions. He said Pakistan’s position on the treaty is firm and principled, and any attempt to undermine its rights under the treaty would have serious consequences.
He appreciated the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the Ministry of Water Resources, the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and other development partners for their continued efforts in sustaining Pakistan Water Week as an important platform for scientific dialogue, policy development and collaborative solutions to the country’s water challenges.
Recalling his experience as prime minister during the devastating 2010 floods, Mr Gilani said he had witnessed first-hand the enormous human cost of natural disasters. He said he had personally witnessed the affected people’s suffering, heard their accounts and mobilised efforts for relief and rehabilitation.
The chairman Senate said Pakistan must move beyond a reactive approach to disaster management and develop a comprehensive framework focused on prevention, preparedness, climate adaptation and long-term resilience.
He underscored the need for stronger institutional coordination, enforceable legislation, effective planning and adequate financial allocations for preventive measures.
He said the Senate would play its constitutional and institutional role in supporting this transition through legislation governing river basins, parliamentary oversight to ensure that water policies deliver tangible benefits to farmers and communities, and advocacy for dedicated budgetary allocations for disaster prevention and water conservation.
He referred to the 1991 Water Accord and the National Water Policy 2018 as important milestones reflecting the country’s collective commitment to managing its water resources.
He said the real challenge was effective implementation of these national frameworks, adding that the Senate provided an important constitutional forum for strengthening federal-provincial cooperation, building consensus and addressing issues of national significance.
He observed that Pakistan’s water security was closely linked with its agricultural economy, food security, environmental sustainability and overall economic development. He called for greater investment in water conservation, efficient irrigation systems, modern water management technologies, research and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2026
