Pakistani farmer Homla Thakhur, standing near his parched vegetable fields in the Latifabad area of Sindh province, is filled with worry about the future of his farm.
With the sun blazing down and the Indus River running dangerously low, Thakhur fears the impact of India’s recent decision to cut water supplies.
India has vowed to halt water flow upstream following a deadly militant attack in Kashmir, which has left many Pakistani farmers, including Thakhur, anxious about their livelihoods.
“If they stop water, all of this will turn into the Thar desert, the whole country,” he said, referring to the potential devastation of his nearly 5-acre farm. “We’ll die of hunger.”
Thakhur’s concerns are shared by more than 15 other farmers in the region, as well as experts, who point to the already insufficient rainfall in recent years.
The Indus Waters Treaty, established in 1960, was meant to secure water for Pakistan’s agricultural needs, with 80% of the country’s farms relying on it.
However, on Wednesday, India suspended its participation in the treaty, citing Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism, specifically following a deadly attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people.
India claims that two of the attackers were from Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies.
Indian officials have indicated that they will stop sharing hydrological data with Pakistan, including flood warnings, and have suspended meetings under the Permanent Indus Commission.
Although India lacks immediate infrastructure to completely halt water flows, it could begin diverting water within months using canals, with plans for large hydroelectric dams that could take several years to complete.
For Pakistan, the consequences of water shortages could be dire, extending far beyond agriculture.
Economists warn that a lack of water would also severely impact electricity generation and potentially cripple the economy.
Vaqar Ahmed, an economist with Oxford Policy Management, emphasized that Pakistan had underestimated the threat of India walking away from the treaty.
Without the necessary water, the country faces a growing crisis that could leave millions facing hunger and economic hardship.
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