Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah has called for the construction of multiple water reservoirs on the River Chenab, warning that upstream dam projects by India pose serious long-term risks to Pakistan’s water security.
Speaking during a session of the Senate of Pakistan, Sanaullah said reservoirs could be developed at four to five strategic locations along the Chenab to store surplus water and ensure availability during periods of reduced flow.
Call for National Consensus on Water Security
The senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz stressed that water-related challenges must be addressed through consultation among all provinces. He said national unity and coordinated planning were essential to protect Pakistan’s future interests and counter external pressures.
Sanaullah urged lawmakers to treat water security as a strategic issue rather than a provincial dispute, emphasizing the need for parliamentary debate and long-term policy alignment.
Concerns Over Upstream Dam Construction
According to the adviser, India is constructing five dams on the Chenab, projects that are expected to be completed by 2030. He warned that these structures could allow India to halt the river’s flow for periods ranging from 60 to 90 days, creating severe downstream shortages.
He further cautioned that sudden water releases could also trigger flood-like conditions, increasing risks for agriculture, infrastructure, and civilian populations in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Diplomatic and Policy Response
Sanaullah described the situation as the use of water as a strategic weapon and said the government had taken serious notice of the issue.
He stated that Pakistan was raising its concerns at international forums and engaging relevant stakeholders to highlight potential treaty violations and humanitarian risks.
As a domestic response, he proposed accelerated planning for reservoirs on the Chenab to improve storage capacity and reduce vulnerability to external control of river flows.
The adviser said the matter had already been brought to the attention of the president and reiterated the need for sustained parliamentary oversight, warning that failure to act now could expose Pakistan to severe water stress in the coming decades.
