News
December 19, 2025
Pakistan Accuses India of Manipulating Chenab River FlowIslamabad: Pakistan has accused India of continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty, expressing serious concern on Thursday over fluctuations in the Chenab River's flow, announcing it had written to India seeking an explanation.
At a weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi addressed what he called "abrupt variation" in the river's flow, an issue that has drawn media attention in recent days.
It was reported on December 8 that India had released a surge of water into the Chenab River. According to reports, the flow in the Chenab River had risen to 58,300 cusecs after India released water from its dams.
"Pakistan views these variations with extreme concern and seriousness," Andrabi said. "They allude to unilateral release of water into the Chenab River by India, without any prior notification."
Andrabi said Pakistan's Indus water commissioner had contacted his Indian counterpart to seek clarification under procedures outlined in the Indus Waters Treaty.
"Any manipulation of river flow by India, especially at a critical time of our agricultural cycle, directly threatens the life and livelihood as well as food and economic security of our citizens," Mr Andrabi said.
He urged India to answer the questions posed by Pakistan's Indus water commissioner, avoid any unilateral changes to river flow and honor its commitments under the treaty.
The Indus Waters Treaty, he said, is a "binding international agreement" that has served as "an instrument of peace and security and stability in the region."
Violations of the treaty, Andrabi said, threaten the "inviolability of international treaties and compliance with international law" and pose serious risks to "regional peace, principles of good neighborliness, and norms governing interstate relations."
"The international community must take notice of India's continued disregard of a bilateral treaty, and counsel India to act responsibly and in accordance with international law and established norms as well as its own obligations," he said.
"Pakistan remains committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes and issues with India but will not compromise on the existential water rights of the people of our country," Andrabi added.
In April, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty after an attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 people — an incident New Delhi blamed on Islamabad without providing evidence. Pakistan called any attempt to withhold its water share under the treaty an "act of war," noting the agreement contained no provision for unilateral suspension.
Hijab removal incident in Bihar
During the briefing, the Foreign Office spokesman also addressed an incident this week in which Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removed a female doctor's hijab, drawing widespread criticism.
Andrabi noted the episode was followed by "public mocking" from a minister in Uttar Pradesh, who defended Kumar before retracting his remarks.
"The forcible removal of the Muslim woman's hijab by a senior political leader and subsequent public ridicule of this act are deeply disturbing and warrant strong condemnation," he said. "The action risks normalizing the humiliation of Muslim women in India. The conduct also demonstrates public disrespect of India's religious minorities, particularly its Muslim citizens," Andrabi added.
"We urge all responsible stakeholders and the Indian government to recognize the seriousness of this incident and to reaffirm their commitment to the protection of minority rights, respect for religious freedom, and the preservation of human dignity," he said.
- The Express Tribune
Courtesy The Express Tribune
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