ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Friday stopped short of directly accusing India of using water as a weapon to flood the country, but noted that the information shared by New Delhi about water flows was “not as detailed as in the past” and bypassed the established channel under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Moreover, fresh discharge from India into the Sutlej River brought another wave of flooding in Punjab on Friday, while water from last week’s devastation surged downstream into Sindh. Officials said they were bracing for peak levels in the coming days.
“I am not in a position to comment on whether water was stored in a certain manner, to be released at a certain time. But regarding the sharing of information…Â the Indian side has indeed shared some information about the floods in different rivers through diplomatic channels. However, it is not as detailed as it was in the past,” Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said at his weekly press briefing.
He was asked whether India deliberately released water to exacerbate floods in Pakistan.
“Moreover, the established channel of Indus water commissioner has not been used. In that context, we reiterate that India should fully comply with all the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty,” he added.
Floods triggered by unprecedented monsoon rains and release of water by India have caused havoc in central and southern Punjab. Floods have broken the nearly 40-year record in Punjab. Some observers suspect India might have stored water deliberately and discharged in a manner to flood Pakistan.
On the relations with Washington in the context of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Shafqat said questions on the US position should be directed to American officials. He insisted that the SCO was not aimed against any country, but a vehicle for “common prosperity, peace and stability”.
He said Pakistan’s foreign policy remained guided by Article 40 of the Constitution, the UN Charter and international law. The spokesperson termed Pakistan’s relations with Russia a “priority”, noting the “positive trajectory and momentum” of ties.
Without going into specifics of recent summit-level discussions, he confirmed that Islamabad was serious in pursuing BRICS membership and that Moscow had been supportive of Pakistan’s application.
On a statement by Taliban Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob, the spokesperson said it appeared to be “an exercise in irony,” stressing that sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorists in Afghanistan, particularly the group referred to as Fitna Al Khwarij, remained a “serious issue” between the two neighbours.
“It has been discussed with utmost seriousness at very senior levels of the state between the two countriesÂ… it remains one issue which bedevils relations between two close neighbours,” he said.
Mullah Yaqub in a recent interview insisted there were no terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil and blamed Pakistan for its own security failures.
When asked about the alleged cross border strikes in Afghanistan, the spokesperson without explicitly mentioning Afghan territory insisted that security forces only conducted “targeted operations in border regions” against terrorist threats.
Last week, the Taliban government summoned a Pakistani envoy in Kabul and registered a protest over reports air strikes. “Pakistan respects the sovereignty of Afghanistan and remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation…Â We urge the Afghan authorities to ensure that their territory is not used as a launchpad for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” he added.
Responding to another questions about UN concerns on Afghan refugees, Shafqat underlined that Pakistan had been the most generous host for over five decades. “What we are saying is that people who have no documentation, they will be sent back. It is our territory, we decide who stays inÂ… any Afghan who wants to come, he’s more than welcome with a valid visa. We have a very liberal visa regime for Afghan people,” he added.
Floods
In Khanewal, the Pul Rango embankment at Head Sidhnai, which had caved in to extreme floodwater pressure, was repaired by authorities. Yet the flood situation in Punjab remains precarious, with rescue and relief operations continuing around the clock.
India’s release of additional river water has unleashed devastation across South Punjab, with heavy flooding in the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers broke several embankments, submerging dozens of villages.
India has officially informed Pakistan of another release of water into the Sutlej. Following notification from the Indian High Commission, Pakistan’s Water Resources Ministry issued a flood alert, warning of high flood levels at Harike and Ferozepur.
According to Punjab’s PDMA, water inflow in the Sutlej will rise further, and a high-flood alert has been declared across the province. DG PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia said the civil administration, Army, and relevant departments were on alert.
At Ganda Singh Wala, the Sutlej’s flow reached a dangerous 327,000 cusecs. High flood levels were also recorded at Sulaimanki and Islam Headworks, submerging streams and settlements in four tehsils of Bahawalpur.
The River Ravi situation is also alarming: Head Sidhnai is facing extremely high flood levels, while water inflow at Head Balloki has exceeded 138,760 cusecs. Similarly, the Chenab continued to rise near Khanki, Head Qadirabad, and Chiniot.
In Multan, water at Shujaabad Canal near Qasim Bela swelled to three times its original capacity, causing overflow into surrounding areas. The Shershah embankment also overflowed, submerging several settlements where residents had no chance to evacuate.
Entry of floodwater into Sikandari drain has triggered alarm for nearby populations. Constant pressure on the Akbar flood embankment has led to breaches, with flood torrents sweeping into Akbarpur, Basti Kotwal, and adjoining localities.
The Sutlej at Ganda Singh Wala had swelled to extraordinary levels earlier this week, forcing rapid deployment of the Army rescue teams across affected districts. Relief operations are under way in Talamba, Mian Channu, Abdul Hakeem, and Muzaffargarh, where thousands of people and livestock have already been evacuated.
In Sahiwal, flooding from the Ravi affected 49 villages. To manage the crisis, 30 relief camps have been set up by the Army and civil administration. Similar operations are in progress in Behrampur, Rangpur, Jawana Bangla, Muradabad, Doaba, and Ashiq Chowk, where Army boats have been rescuing marooned families.
Medical camps at flood relief centres are providing free treatment and distributing food, clean water, and medicines. Displaced families have praised Army personnel for their service and sacrifices during the crisis.
According to the Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), 49 people have died in flood-related incidents so far, while nearly 3.9 million have been affected by rising waters in the Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab rivers.
The PDMA report noted that over 3,900 localities have suffered damage. Around 1.839 million people stranded by floods have been shifted to safer areas. More than 1.3 million animals have also been relocated.
Punjab’s Relief Commissioner Nabeel Javed confirmed that the provincial government, with Army assistance, is working to ensure the protection of lives, property, and livestock.
Sindh braced for incoming waters
As Punjab struggles with devastation, floodwaters entered Sindh, where authorities are racing to prepare for high flows at major barrages. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah chaired an emergency meeting to review the situation, directing officials to establish relief camps, plan evacuations, and reinforce embankments.
Sindh’s government has already set up 528 relief camps across vulnerable districts, though officials said many residents are reluctant to leave their homes. Nevertheless, 109,320 people have been moved from katcha (riverine) areas to safer ground.
Evacuations are under way in Sukkur, Kandiaro, Rohri, and Dadu. In Sukkur and nearby katcha areas, 42 people were shifted to safety, while another 21 residents were relocated from Mohabbat Dero village in Kandiaro.
In New Sukkur, 21 individuals, including 14 men, one woman, and six children, were rescued from Hajji Faqir Muhammad Jatoi village. Flood emergency medical camps have also been established in Dadu, providing women’s OPD and maternal healthcare services for displaced families.
The Army and civil authorities continue joint operations in both Punjab and Sindh as floodwaters wreak havoc across riverine belts. Relief efforts have been praised by many victims, but officials warn that the scale of displacement and destruction remains enormous.
With embankments under constant pressure and vast stretches of farmland and villages under water, the twin provinces are facing one of the most severe flood emergencies in recent memory.
(With additional input from our correspondents in Lahore and Karachi)
