The United Nations (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 20 March 2026) describes water as the lifeline of its agricultural economy, Pakistan India’s unilateral suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty amounts to an assault on its civilization and long-term economic stability, he said at a special event at the United Nations.
“We are an agricultural society, and it practically exists in the nexus between water and agriculture,” Dr. Musadiq Malik, Pakistan’s Minister of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, emphasized in a video message addressed to the high-level event commemorating World Water Day.
The event, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York under the theme “Water and Gender Equality,” was organized by the Permanent Mission of Tajikistan to the United Nations and co-hosted by Pakistan and other countries. This coincided with the launch of the United Nations annual report on water development in the world.
Dr. Musaddiq Malik warned against the consequences of politicizing water, noting the dark clouds of conflict gathering over the regions. “Suddenly, given the geopolitics or geopolitical shifts, and taking this opportunity to unilaterally and illegally suspend the treaty, we believe that the politicization of water is an attack on our civilization; it is an attack on our livelihoods – it is an attack on our economic growth.”
The minister expressed her hope that better logic would prevail, “For us, this is a day for water rights and this is a day for women’s rights.”
Dr. Musadiq Malik’s sharp words elicited a response from Indian Ambassador Parvathanini Harish who, as expected, reiterated his government’s position of directly linking the suspension of the treaty to Pakistan’s alleged failure to end cross-border terrorism. But the Pakistani delegate, Alina Majeed, responded accusingly India Using water as a weapon for narrow political gains, endangering the lifelines of millions.
In his video message, the minister also said amid the changing geopolitical dynamics, such a sudden and unilateral move is not only unjustified and illegal but also undermines a long-term framework of cooperation.
“For us, water is nature. Water is humanity. Water is our civilization. For us, water is agriculture. We are an agricultural society, and it practically exists in the relationship between water and agriculture,” he said.
Nearly 25 to 30 percent of the country’s GDP (gross domestic product) is linked to agriculture, while nearly half of its workforce depends on this sector for employment. Pakistan food He stressed that security is entirely linked to agricultural productivity, making water management a matter of national survival and prosperity.
The Minister noted that more than 61% of women’s employment is related to agriculture, stressing the direct relationship between access to water, women’s empowerment, and economic well-being.
Dr. Malik also drew attention to the human and social costs of climate-induced disasters in Pakistan. He said that during the past four major floods, nearly 6,000 people lost their lives, about 20,000 people were injured or disabled, and about 40 million people were displaced. Among them are about 20 million children who go to school.
He pointed out that if they are displaced, even for three months, this is normal results At an estimated 1.8 one billion lost school days.
He stressed that women, as is the case in many parts of the world, remain among the most vulnerable groups during such crises. “When we fight for water rights, we also fight for women’s rights,” he added.
The Minister highlighted Pakistan’s political commitments, including integrating gender inclusion and community engagement into the country’s climate strategies.
He said Pakistan’s updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC III) clearly define the role of women in climate action and sustainable development. He stressed the importance of youth participation, and said that the government is advancing many initiatives within the framework of the broader “green revolution,” with water management forming a fundamental pillar of these efforts.
Dr. Musadiq Malik said that Pakistan encourages innovative ideas a job Opportunities for youth, especially in sectors related to agriculture, climate change resilience, and environmental sustainability. He said efforts are also underway to mobilize financing for climate-related projects, with a commitment to ensuring at least 50 percent participation of women in these initiatives.
In addition, he announced the development of a joint research framework focusing on agriculture, water and climate issues, which will be developed through a new platform called the “Green Virtual University”.
In response to Dr. Malik’s comments about India’s efforts to deny Pakistan its share of water, the Indian Ambassador, Harish, accused Islamabad of violating the spirit of the treaty by launching cross-border terrorist attacks, without providing any evidence.
In exercise of the right of reply, Alina Majeed, Second Secretary of Pakistan’s Mission to the United Nations, challenged the Indian envoy’s logic, saying that there is no provision in the treaty that allows for its unilateral suspension or amendment or so-called “suspension.”
“We recall that the Arbitration Court found in its 2025 supplementary award that its jurisdiction remains intact,” she said, adding that India must immediately return to full and complete implementation of the treaty.
Rejecting India’s accusations of Pakistan’s involvement in terrorism, Ms. Majeed said, “India’s attempts to divert attention through baseless terrorism allegations cannot hide its record of sponsoring terrorism across its borders, committing state terrorism in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a global state-backed assassination campaign including in North America, and state sponsorship of violence against minorities.”
The Pakistani delegate said, “There is credible evidence of India’s sponsorship of terrorist groups, including the Pakistan Taliban, Kharijite Sedition, Balochistan Liberation Army, and Hindustan Sedition, which have carried out attacks in Pakistan, leading to the deaths of thousands of Pakistanis.”
“We reaffirm our categorical and categorical rejection of all attempts to use water as a weapon and use it for political gain.”
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