'Will Cut Off Hands That': Pakistan's Warning to India Over Indus Waters Treaty
Pakistan is using its Indus Valley Civilization identity to strengthen its claim over Indus River waters amid a deepening water crisis and rising tensions with India.
Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has always projected itself as an Islamic nation. However, it is now increasingly highlighting its connection to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization. The reason behind this shift appears to be its growing water crisis.
Pakistan is facing a severe shortage of water, which has worsened after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). In an attempt to strengthen its claim over the waters of the Indus River, Pakistan organised an international conference on the IWT in Islamabad on 30 June 2026. During the event, Pakistan presented itself as the true successor of the Indus Valley Civilization and argued that it has a historical right to the Indus waters.
Pakistani leaders also issued strong warnings to India. Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik said Pakistan would protect its share of water at any cost, while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned that any serious threat to Pakistan's economy or water resources could lead to extreme consequences.
India, however, maintains that it has the right to take decisions regarding the Indus River waters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier stated that "blood and water cannot flow together," indicating that discussions on the Indus Waters Treaty would not resume until Pakistan stops supporting terrorism. The World Bank has also declined to intervene in the matter.
Many experts believe Pakistan's water crisis is largely due to its own problems, including poor water management, inadequate storage facilities, and internal disputes over water distribution. Reports suggest that Pakistan was already facing a major water shortage even before India suspended the treaty.
As a result, experts say that changing its historical narrative and claiming the legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization is unlikely to solve Pakistan's water problems. Without significant reforms in water management, the country's water crisis could become even more serious in the future.
