Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly criticized India’s alleged manipulation of water resources and warned that Pakistan will not allow any attempt to undermine the Indus Waters Treaty, emphasizing that millions of lives must not be jeopardized for political motives.
Calling India’s move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty both unilateral and unlawful, he stressed that Pakistan considers this a red line and will not tolerate its violation.
The PM made these remarks while addressing the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, which is being held from May 29 to 31, 2025.
The conference has drawn over 2,500 participants from 80 UN member countries and 70 global organizations, including high-ranking government and UN officials.
In his extensive speech, Shehbaz Sharif addressed various pressing issues including glacier conservation, Pakistan’s climate vulnerabilities, the devastating 2022 floods, and the broader need for global climate accountability and action.
He condemned the use of water as a strategic weapon, calling it a dangerous escalation, particularly when the world is already grappling with devastation from armed conflicts like in Gaza.
The PM praised the Government of Tajikistan and its international partners for hosting this timely and historic summit, which aligns with the UNGA’s declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
Highlighting Pakistan’s climate risk, he noted that the country is home to over 13,000 glaciers which are crucial to the Indus River system that supports its economy and culture.
He explained that Pakistan’s five major rivers, Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej, are all glacier-fed, making any change in glacial behavior a serious threat to national stability.
The PM recalled the destructive 2022 floods caused by glacial melt, which devastated infrastructure and agriculture, despite Pakistan’s negligible contribution to global carbon emissions.
He called for urgent global action and planning to avoid such catastrophes elsewhere in the world.
Citing scientific research, he warned that increased glacial melting will cause more frequent floods followed by reduced river flows, worsening environmental and economic challenges.
He emphasized that these shifts could destabilize ecosystems, uproot communities, and create widespread disorder if not addressed in time.
Shehbaz Sharif urged the global community, especially developed nations, to fulfill their climate finance commitments to help vulnerable countries strengthen resilience and infrastructure.
He advocated for more investment in early warning systems and disaster preparedness to mitigate future climate-related disasters.
Recalling his childhood memories of swimming in the River Ravi, the PM underscored how glacier-fed rivers like the Ravi and Tajikistan’s Vakhsh are lifelines that must be protected through collective international effort.
Concluding, he made a heartfelt appeal to protect nature’s resources, not just for today but for future generations around the world.
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