Pakistan Raises Concerns Over Limited Data
Pakistan has strongly condemned India for failing to provide comprehensive flood-related data as devastating monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across the country. Officials in Islamabad said the information New Delhi shared this year through diplomatic channels was less detailed than in previous years, raising concerns about compliance with the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
Foreign Office Statement
Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, in a weekly briefing on Friday, stressed that India bypassed the designated Indus Water Commission channel and instead issued alerts via diplomatic notes. He urged New Delhi to fully comply with all provisions of the 1960 treaty, which governs the sharing of water from rivers flowing into Pakistan.
Flood Devastation in Punjab
The criticism comes as Pakistan struggles with one of its worst flood disasters in recent history. Since late June, when the monsoon season began, at least 905 people have died, and more than a million residents have been forced to flee their homes, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The deluge has submerged more than 1,400 villages in Punjab province, wiping out farmland and leaving families stranded on rooftops.
Sindh Braces for “Super Flood”
The floodwaters are now surging southwards, with Sindh province bracing for what officials describe as a looming “super flood” along the riverine belt. Relief operations are underway, but authorities warn that the scale of displacement and destruction could worsen in the coming weeks.
Treaty Dispute Intensifies Tensions
The data dispute adds further strain to already tense bilateral relations. India suspended participation in the IWT last year after blaming Pakistan for cross-border violence in Jammu and Kashmir, a charge Islamabad denies. However, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in June that India cannot unilaterally suspend or place the treaty in abeyance, affirming that the pact remains binding on both sides.
Background on the Indus Waters Treaty
Signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation, the Indus Waters Treaty allocated use of three eastern rivers — Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — to India, while Pakistan received rights over the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab. The treaty has long been hailed as one of the most durable agreements between the nuclear-armed rivals, but recent disputes highlight its fragility amid climate pressures and political hostilities.
Call for Timely Cooperation
As Pakistan reels from catastrophic flooding, officials say reliable and timely data sharing under the IWT is more crucial than ever to save lives and mitigate destruction.
