India’s violation of IWT threatens south Punjab’s agriculture, economy: experts

MULTAN, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jul, 2026) Experts have warned the uncertainty surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and any disruption in water availability could pose serious challenges to south Punjab’s agriculture-based economy, threatening food security, employment and the livelihoods of millions of people.

South Punjab relies heavily on agriculture, with its extensive canal irrigation system serving as the backbone of crop production. Experts said, any reduction in irrigation water would not only affect agricultural output but would also have far-reaching consequences for rural economies, agro-based industries and the country’s overall economic stability.

According to agricultural experts, the region produces major crops including cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane and mangoes, dependent largely on canal water. A decline in water availability could reduce crop yields, increase production costs, lower agricultural exports and intensify rural poverty.

Talking to APP, Engineer Umar Hayat described the Indus Waters Treaty as a vital guarantee of Pakistan’s water rights and stressed that its provisions should be implemented in both letter and spirit. He stressed on continued efforts pursuing all available legal and diplomatic avenues to protect country’s water interests. He added that every drop of water must be safeguarded.

Professor Dr. Yasir from the Department of Agriculture, University of Layyah, said, south Punjab is Pakistan’s agricultural heartland, where millions of people depend directly or indirectly on farming for their livelihoods. He noted that reduced irrigation supplies would affect not only crop production but also agricultural labour, food processing, cotton ginning, the sugar industry, transportation and agricultural trade.

Environmental expert Dr. Abid Mansoor said, climate change has already placed immense pressure on water resources, making full implementation of international river water agreements more important than ever.

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He said water is not merely a political issue but also one of humanitarian, economic and environmental significance.

Economist Adeel Chaudhry said, water scarcity has a direct impact on the national economy and warned that lower agricultural production could lead to higher food prices, declining exports and rising unemployment in rural areas, emphasizing that effective management of water resources is essential for sustainable economic growth.

Agricultural expert Professor Shabbir Ahmad said, the Indus Waters Treaty is closely linked with the future of millions of Pakistani farmers. He observed that any disruption in water availability under the treaty could affect not only agriculture but also food security, employment, environmental sustainability and the rural economy.

Another agricultural expert, Amjad Ali, described South Punjab’s canal irrigation network as the backbone of the region’s agricultural productivity and said that any reduction in water supplies could create severe difficulties for farmers and the agriculture sector, making the protection of Pakistan’s water rights under the treaty imperative.

Local farmers also voiced concern, saying prolonged water shortages would have consequences beyond agriculture, disrupting the entire rural economic system and increasing financial hardships for farming communities.

Experts unanimously maintained that the Indus Waters Treaty is not merely a water-sharing agreement but a key international accord linked to Pakistan’s national interests, agricultural economy and water security. They stressed the importance of respecting the treaty’s provisions and international law, and prescribed continued diplomatic, legal and technical efforts to safeguard country’s water rights.