Karachi: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Sindh, Kashif Saeed Shaikh, has stated that any tampering by India with the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an act of war. He emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty is the lifeline for Pakistan, particularly the Sindh province. He warned India not to turn water into a weapon of war.

Kashif Saeed Shaeikh said that violations of the treaty and corporate farming practices will most severely impact Sindh. Due to its downstream position and acute water shortages, Sindh's lands are becoming barren. The lack of water released from the Kotri downstream has resulted in approximately 5 million acres of agricultural land in Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin districts being lost to the sea.

Water scarcity is now severely affecting both human life and aquatic ecosystems, forcing hundreds of people to migrate. In a statement today, he mentioned that according to the World Bank, there is no provision in the Indus Waters Treaty allowing unilateral suspension or termination. Any changes or termination of the treaty require mutual agreement between Pakistan and India.

Despite this, India's threats to violate or suspend the treaty constitute "water terrorism" and a declaration of war. The Indus Waters Treaty is a bilateral international agreement that cannot be terminated unilaterally by India. He pointed out that India has violated the treaty on several occasions in the past by constructing hydroelectric projects on rivers flowing into Pakistan, thereby affecting Pakistan's water supply-actions that are serious violations of international law and the treaty.

He concluded by saying that India's aim is to turn agricultural Pakistan into a barren land by blocking its water-a clear form of water aggression and a declaration of war.