Respect Nature, Respect Treaties; A Call Against Hydrological Hostility.

Respect Nature, Respect Treaties; A Call Against Hydrological Hostility

Introduction

The devastating floods that recently swept across Pakistan remind us of the fragile balance between humanity and nature. These disasters are intensified not only by climate change and record monsoon rains but also by the mismanagement of transboundary rivers. When upstream states interfere with the natural flow of water—by storing it for long periods and then suddenly releasing it—they violate both international law and the laws of nature itself.

The Indus Waters Treaty

The 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, was designed to ensure peaceful and equitable water distribution between India and Pakistan.

• Pakistan was allocated control of the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

• India retained control of the eastern rivers—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—with limited rights to use the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes such as power generation.

The essence of this treaty is simple: water must not be weaponized. Any deliberate manipulation of flow, whether through storage or sudden release, undermines this agreement and endangers millions downstream.

Routine Flow vs. Sudden Release

If India were to maintain the natural, routine flow of rivers as intended under the treaty, Pakistan’s water channels and reservoirs would be able to absorb and regulate seasonal variations. However, when water is blocked for extended periods and then abruptly released, it creates destructive flood shocks.

This is not just poor river management—it borders on what experts call hydro-terrorism.

International Legal and Ethical Dimensions

• Environmental Law Principle: No state has the right to cause transboundary harm through its use of natural resources.

• Humanitarian Responsibility: Water sustains life. Using it as a tool of pressure or aggression directly violates humanitarian norms.

• Law of Nature: Beyond man-made treaties, water follows divine balance. To obstruct its course unnaturally is to invite retribution. Nature punishes those who tamper with its equilibrium.

A Call to the International Community

The United Nations, International Court of Justice, and global institutions must take note of these risks. Water disputes in South Asia are not just bilateral—they carry implications for regional stability and global peace. It is imperative to:

• Reinstate and safeguard the Indus Waters Treaty in both letter and spirit.

• Create mechanisms for real-time data sharing of river flows and dam operations.

• Establish joint river management frameworks that prioritize humanitarian and environmental security over politics.

A Direct Appeal to India

India must resist the temptation to treat rivers as tools of coercion. Instead, it should embrace cooperation as a path to peace. Respecting natural flows and treaty obligations is not only a legal duty but also a moral one. A nation’s greatness lies not in how much power it can wield, but in how responsibly it can manage the blessings of nature for the common good.

Conclusion

Water is life. It should never become a weapon of destruction. As Pakistan struggles with the aftermath of devastating floods, the world must act to ensure that rivers remain a source of sustenance, not suffering. Only through mutual respect, adherence to treaties, and harmony with nature can humanity avert greater catastrophes.

Syed Ali Raza Naqvi Bukhari

Unity of Peace, Economic Reform, and Global Unity

Founder & Chairman of Tehreek Istehkam Pakistan, and the author of “Law of God” and “Social Democratic System.” Advocates for truth, social justice, and reform in all sectors of society.