Why the suspension is devastating for Pakistan
— For Pakistan, the Indus system is not just vital—it is existential.
— 80% of Pakistan’s cultivated land—about 16 million hectares—relies on water from the Indus system.
— 93% of this water is used for irrigation, powering the country’s agricultural backbone.
— The system supports over 237 million people, with Pakistan accounting for 61% of the Indus Basin population.
— Major urban centres—Karachi, Lahore, Multan—draw their water directly from these rivers.
— Hydropower plants like Tarbela and Mangla also depend on uninterrupted flows.
The system contributes nearly 25% of Pakistan’s GDP and supports crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton. Pakistan is already one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, and per capita availability is declining rapidly. If India cuts off or significantly reduces flows from the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, the impact will be immediate and severe:
— Food production could collapse, threatening food security for millions.
— Urban water supplies would dry up, causing unrest in cities.
— Power generation would stall, crippling industries and homes.
— Loan defaults, unemployment, and migration could spike in rural regions.
https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/india-suspends-indus-waters-treaty-heres-how-it-impacts-pakistans-farms-cities-and-power-473351-2025-04-23
Two nuclear powers arguing about water. What could go wrong? Good job both countries have stable, rational governments.