Climatic disasters have drastically increased over the past few years, as evidenced by a recent glacier flash flood that claimed the lives of 45,000 people. Such natural disasters have intensified worldwide owing to unsustainable infrastructure development practices, global warming and poor adaptation abilities. Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate change, even though its share of global greenhouse gas emissions is very small. Every year, the country faces human, financial and economic losses due to heavy monsoon rains, sudden floods, rapid glacier retreat and unpredictable weather patterns. Therefore, this question has become more important than ever: has Pakistan planned promptly for the effective use of its water resources and to deal with future threats?

The country needs serious measures for water security, which is an indication of a reality that further ignoring would be against the national interest. India’s claim to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty will jeopardise the water security and livelihood of 240 million Pakistanis and undermine respect for international treaty obligations. In this regard, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal reiterated the........

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