Islamabad: Pakistan’s President addressed the nation on the eve of World Water Day, underscoring the theme “Water and Gender” and highlighting the unequal burden women and girls face due to water insecurity. He emphasized the critical need for reliable and safe water access as a constitutional right and national priority.

According to Press Information Department, the President drew attention to the situation in Pakistan, where many households rely on distant or unreliable water sources. This situation forces women and girls to spend substantial time collecting water, impacting their education, employment opportunities, and family time. The absence of safe water also poses health risks and strains households, necessitating improved public service delivery and fair access to resources.

The President advocated for careful management of water resources, investment in water systems, and the inclusion of women in planning and decision-making processes. He also encouraged households to adopt practices like rainwater harvesting to help replenish aquifers and increase water availability.

Highlighting the broader significance of water for agriculture, urban areas, and natural environments, the President called for more careful water usage amid growing resource pressures from population demands and climate variability.

In his message, the President strongly condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, describing it as the weaponization of shared water resources. He expressed deep concern over India’s actions, which he argued undermine an international agreement that has governed the equitable sharing of the Indus river system for over sixty years. The President urged India to restore full implementation of the Treaty, warning that such conduct threatens food and economic security and sets a dangerous precedent for managing transboundary resources under international law.