Rare Azakheli buffaloes, farmers bear brunt of growing water uncertainty amid IWT violations

As the first rays of sunlight spread across the mountains of Bisham Valley, 52-year-old farmer Omar Ali begins another day of hard work amid growing water uncertainty for his herd of cattle due to Indus Water Treaty violations by India

SHANGLA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2026) As the first rays of sunlight spread across the mountains of Bisham Valley, 52-year-old farmer Omar Ali begins another day of hard work amid growing water uncertainty for his herd of cattle due to Indus Water Treaty violations by India.

With a wet towel wrapped around his head to shield himself from the summer heat, he guides his herd of Azakheli buffaloes, along with goats and sheep, toward the grazing lands near the River Indus and spends the entire day under trees there. For Omar, the journey is more than a daily routine but a struggle to protect the livelihood that supports his family for a long time.

“Azakheli buffaloes are my major source of income,” he says, watching the Indus river flow through the valley. “The milk they produce helps me pay for my children’s education and healthcare services.”

Like hundreds of livestock owners in Shangla and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Omar depends heavily on the Indus River’s ponds and its surrounding grazing lands. The mighty river provides drinking water for animals and sustains natural pastures that have supported rural communities for generations in Khyber Pakthunkhwa’s northern belt.

“Indus River is our lifeline,” he says. “If the river continues to flow, our lives continue too with hopes and prosperity,” Omar shifting Azakheli buffaloes from pond to shed told APP.

The Azakheli buffalo, a rare indigenous breed found mainly in Malakand, Swat and Shangla districts, is uniquely adapted to the rugged mountain terrains. Smaller in size than many other buffalo breeds and recognized by its distinctive brown coat, the animal thrives on natural pasture and river water rather than swampy environments.

For families such as Omar’s, the breed represents more than livestock but it is a source of food security, income and cultural heritage continued with generations. However, concerns over the future of water availability due to IWT violations by India have begun casting a shadow over communities and livestock growers that depend on the river system.

According to livestock experts, any prolonged disruption in water flows could place increasing pressure on grazing lands, ponds, lakes and threaten the survival of animals that rely on them.

Dr. Alamzaib Khan, former Director General Livestock Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warned that reduced water availability could have serious consequences for livestock populations, including the endangered Azakheli buffalo.

“The riverine belt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contains extensive grazing lands and ponds where communities have depended on natural fodder and water for decades,” he says. “If water shortages persist, thousands of animals could face feed scarcity, resulting in lower milk and meat production.”

Such challenges would directly affect rural households already facing economic pressures in Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

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Reduced milk production could limit income for farmers and diminish an important source of nutrition for thousands of families and children.

Experts reiterated that Azakheli buffaloes are valued for their high milk yield, producing around 1,800 litres per lactation under favorable conditions. Their ability to adapt to mountainous environments has made them an important asset for communities across northern Pakistan.

Each morning, Omar watches his animals graze along the riverbanks, aware that their wellbeing is tied to the health of the river. The ponds and streams connected to the Indus in areas such as Bisham, Martung and Chakesar provide essential water for both agriculture, orchards, gardens and livestock in northern Khyber Patkhunkhwa.

“These animals support our families,” he says. “Without water, everything becomes difficult,” he said.

Water experts and academics described the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty as a crucial framework that has governed water-sharing arrangements in the Indus Basin for more than six decades. They emphasized that water security remains closely linked to agriculture, food production and economic stability throughout the region.

“Water should never become a weapon tool of political pressure,” says Professor Dr. Ejaz Khan, former chairman of the International Relations Department at the University of Peshawar. “The consequences of IWT violations will ultimately be borne by ordinary people besides put peace of South Asia into jeopardy.”

Professor Dr. Muhammad Jamil Khan of Peshawar University added that predictable water-sharing arrangements are essential for communities whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and livestock.

The experts demanded the international community and World Bank to step in and force the fascist Modi Govt to restore IWT after India lost all grounds following the landmark ruling of the International Court of Arbitration.

They said India went against international laws and world bank guarantee by holding IWT in abeyance in April last year and now restoration of the historic treaty signed by President Ayub Khan and India PM Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1960 was a test case for international community and world bank.

For families living along the Indus River, these debates are not merely diplomatic or legal issues rather human rights. The IWT violations will affect daily life, household incomes and future prospects.

As the afternoon sun intensifies over the mountains of Shangla, Omar gathers his animals and prepares for the journey home. The river continues to flow beside him, sustaining the fragile balance between nature and survival.

For now, the Azakheli buffaloes graze peacefully along the riverbanks. But for many families who depend on them, uncertainty about water remains a growing concern—one that reaches far beyond politics and into the heart of rural life.