Why did Pakistan link Indus water dispute to Hormuz? Islamabad’s arrogance came out with these 4 actions

There is great uneasiness in Pakistan for the last one week regarding the Indus Water Agreement. There are continuous statements coming from Pakistani leaders and officials, in which they are demanding India to release water and resume talks. Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has compared this step of India with the dispute of Hormuz Strait and has even said that a military response should also be given for this. After all, the question arises that what is India doing that has given Pakistan sleepless nights? Why is Pakistan instead of considering it as just a water issue, it is calling it the biggest threat to its national security? Let us understand it in details…

1. India stopped sharing data

India had suspended the Indus Water Agreement in May 2025. Since then, India has completely stopped sharing water level, flow and operational data of rivers (Indus, Chenab and Jhelum) with Pakistan. According to Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner Syed Mehar Ali Shah, in the last one year, Pakistan has written letters to India four times, appealing for meetings and inspections, but no response has been received from New Delhi. Due to lack of data, Pakistan is not able to estimate whether the fluctuations of water in rivers are natural or India is doing so deliberately. The last meeting of the Indus Water Commission was held in May 2022 and regular communication has also come to a standstill since August 2023.

2. Allegation of using water as a weapon

Pakistan’s biggest complaint is that India is releasing and stopping water without informing.

• Pakistan alleges that when it is time for sowing and water is needed the most, India withholds water. But when the crops are ripe, water is suddenly released, which creates the risk of floods.
• PAK Commissioner says that India has started reopening the lower level outlets of Marala Barrage. Their argument is that with this India can empty and fill water as per its wish, which is a strategic threat for Pakistan.

3. Mega plan to divert rivers: Chenab-Beas Link

The water of western rivers goes to Pakistan under the agreement. India is working rapidly to make maximum use of this water. Pakistan’s heartbeat has increased regarding the Chenab-Beas Link Project. India is preparing to divert 19 lakh acre-feet of water through this project. Pakistan says that water is being extracted from the river over which it has legal rights.

4. Direct attack on 24 crore population and agriculture

For Pakistan, this is not just a diplomatic but existential crisis.

• Pakistan’s population of 24 crore is completely dependent on the Indus Basin.
• More than 80% of the agricultural land in the country is irrigated with this water.
• One fourth of Pakistan’s economy is directly dependent on agriculture.
• Without water, there is a danger of starvation and economic devastation in Pakistan.

Which Pakistani leader said what?

• Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari (Former Foreign Minister): Just as there cannot be peace between America and Iran by closing the Strait of Hormuz, similarly how can a ceasefire between India and Pakistan survive without restoring the Indus Water Agreement? The oil of the countries goes through Hormuz, but the life of the countries flows through the Indus.
• Ishaq Dar (Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister): India should not sow the seeds of war. Neither party can unilaterally suspend or terminate the agreement. If Pakistan is deprived of its share of water, it will have serious consequences.
• Musaddiq Malik (Climate Change Minister): If anyone tries to stop Pakistan’s share of water, we will cut off those hands.
• Ataullah Tarar (Information Minister): Making water a weapon is a violation of international law. International agreements cannot be conveniently discarded.

appeal for international arbitration

Seeing its position weak, Pakistan is now turning to international forums. According to the Pakistani commissioner, after a legal battle that started in 2016, the Court of Arbitration has given decisions in 2025 and recently in May 2026, which makes Pakistan feel that the treaty is technically active. However, India is ignoring these decisions and keeping its national security and interests above all.

India has a clear message that terrorism and water cannot flow together. Unless cross-border activities are controlled, India will continue to use water diplomacy to put pressure on Pakistan. At the same time, without data and without water, Pakistan seems completely helpless at the moment.

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