Overview

• On July 2, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the government will build new non-controversial water storage facilities.
• The initiative will leverage domestic projects such as the Diamer Bhasha dam to increase reservoir capacity over the next few years using Pakistani funding.
• The National Disaster Management Authority has been assigned to coordinate construction and ensure timely completion of the new reservoirs.
• India’s April 23 suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty halted mandatory data sharing and seasonal flow guarantees for the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers.
• Sharif framed the expansion as a defensive measure against what he described as an ‘enemy’ undermining Pakistan’s water security and food supply.