Government should raise the issue of revitalization of Indus Water Treaty with the US, water experts say

🇵🇰 Experts Call for Immediate Action on Water Treaty

Following the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Pakistan and India, water experts have called on the federal government to raise the issue of India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

They say this is the right moment to discuss the matter with Washington, so that India is pressured to reverse its decision from April 24.

🔍 Treaty Details and India’s Unilateral Move

The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 allocates the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) to India and the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan.

Despite the ceasefire, Indian government sources told Reuters that the water-sharing agreement remains suspended.

🗣️ WAPDA and Former Officials Speak Out

Former WAPDA member Javed Latif stated that this is the ideal time for Pakistan to raise the issue quietly, suggesting India might backtrack without public embarrassment under U.S. pressure.

Syed Jamaat Ali Shah, former Indus Waters Commissioner, said that U.S. involvement should go beyond the ceasefire to include Kashmir and water issues. He urged the Pakistani government to seek U.S. guarantees to prevent future violations.

📞 Normal Water Flow – But No Data Sharing

A senior official from the Punjab Irrigation Department reported that all major rivers are currently flowing normally.

On May 5, India briefly stopped the Chenab River flow to fill a dam, reducing it to 3,100 cusecs. It resumed flow the next day.

However, the official noted that India is not sharing water flow data, which is typically exchanged during floods or rainy seasons under the treaty. Still, he expressed optimism that data sharing would resume during the next monsoon.

📊 Latest WAPDA Water Flow Data

According to the latest WAPDA report, as of now:

Chenab River at Head Marala:
- Inflow: 29,700 cusecs
- Outflow: 10,300 cusecs
Indus River at Tarbela:
- Inflow: 136,300 cusecs
- Outflow: 70,000 cusecs
Jhelum River at Mangla:
- Inflow: 52,400 cusecs
- Outflow: 32,000 cusecs
Kabul River at Nowshera:
- Inflow & Outflow: 46,000 cusecs