Pakistan faces water crisis amid Indus Waters Treaty suspension

Pakistan is facing a significant water shortage heading into the Rabi agricultural season, with available water supply expected to drop by approximately 25 percent. Reservoir levels have reached a four-year low, threatening the production of wheat, a critical crop for the nation's food security and economy.

The crisis is compounded by the fact that India has placed the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following a terror attack in 2025. While the treaty has historically managed water sharing between the two nations, its current suspension has increased strategic pressure on Pakistan's irrigation-dependent agriculture.

Reports indicate that Pakistan's water challenges are also driven by internal management issues. Citing World Bank findings, experts point to groundwater depletion, waterlogging, salinity, and contamination as major domestic factors, particularly in the Sindh province. Analysts suggest that while India's control of upstream water is a factor, Pakistan's internal water governance and infrastructure weaknesses also play a critical role in the deepening crisis.