Islamabad (Web Desk): Islamabad (Web Desk): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has warned that using shared cross-border water resources as a means of pressure could endanger regional stability and wider global peace, stressing that respect for international agreements and cooperative management of water must remain a core principle of the international system.
He made these remarks while addressing Brussels conference titled “Transboundary Water Resources: A Weaponised Global Common.”
DPM Dar emphasised that rivers and shared water systems should serve as a connecting force between countries rather than becoming a source of rivalry or tension. He called on all states to fully respect international law and treaty obligations in order to prevent disputes over water from escalating into broader conflicts.
The event was jointly arranged by the Centre for European Policy Studies Centre for European Policy Studies and the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, climate experts and researchers to discuss the governance of shared water resources.
Dar stressed that effective management of transboundary rivers through agreements, treaties and mutual understanding is of global importance.
He cautioned that without strong cooperative systems, competing national interests could turn shared natural resources into instruments of strategic pressure or confrontation.
Referring to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, he reiterated that many water-related crises stem not from absolute scarcity but from failures in governance and management, adding that properly regulated shared waters can instead become pathways to peace and regional cooperation.
He highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to international law and diplomatic solutions, noting that the country has consistently supported peaceful dispute resolution through dialogue and legal mechanisms. In this context, he referred to the Indus Waters Treaty, signed in 1960, which established a framework for sharing the waters of the Indus Basin between Pakistan and India.
He pointed out that the treaty has remained in place despite multiple wars and decades of political tension, describing it as a rare example of durability in international water diplomacy.
Dar added that Pakistan has continued to rely on the treaty’s built-in dispute resolution processes whenever concerns have arisen regarding water distribution in the Indus system, even in situations where outcomes were not entirely favourable to its position.
However, he warned that any unilateral actions that weaken or bypass such agreements could seriously threaten regional peace and stability.
He said that that certain infrastructure developments, including dam and reservoir projects on rivers covered under the treaty, could alter natural water flows and contribute to what he described as emerging patterns of “hydro-hegemony.”
Describing rivers as essential lifelines rather than mere geographical features, Dar said the Indus River system supports millions of people and forms the backbone of Pakistan’s agriculture and economy.
He cautioned that any restriction or manipulation of water flows could lead to significant humanitarian and socio-economic challenges for the country.
He further stated that water must never be treated as a tool of coercion, but rather as a shared resource and collective responsibility that underpins human dignity and sustainable development.
Expanding the discussion beyond South Asia, he noted that Europe offers successful examples of cross-border water cooperation, where treaty-based management has contributed to long-term stability and shared prosperity.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy, engagement and international legal frameworks, he said the country continues to seek cooperative rather than confrontational solutions to disputes. He also drew attention to Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, pointing out that despite contributing less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, it remains among the nations most severely affected by climate-related risks.
He concluded by urging the international community to strengthen cooperation on water governance and climate resilience, expressing hope that the Brussels conference would help advance global understanding on managing shared water systems.
He stressed that only cooperation, not coercion, should define the future of transboundary water resources, ensuring they remain a source of peace, development and regional integration.