Pakistan says cooperation over shared waters is directly linked to the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation.

GENEVA: Pakistan has urged the United Nations to prevent shared water resources from being used as a tool of political pressure, warning that water should not become an instrument of coercion, political leverage or conflict.

Pakistan’s First Secretary Adeel Mumtaz Khokhar made the remarks during the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council as members considered a resolution on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.

The resolution, introduced by Germany and Spain, was adopted without a vote. Pakistan said it had played an active role in retaining an explicit reference to cooperation over transboundary water resources in the final text. The UN record confirms Khokhar addressed the council during consideration of the resolution.

According to Pakistan, India had sought to remove the reference, arguing that cooperation over shared waters was outside the scope of a resolution focused on human rights. Pakistan rejected that position, maintaining that transboundary water cooperation is directly linked to access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

“Where water is shared, responsibilities are also shared,” Khokhar said, stressing that cooperation between neighbouring states should be regarded as a mutual responsibility rather than a favour or concession.

He warned that no upstream country should use water as a means of political pressure or influence over a downstream state. Pakistan said shared water resources should instead be managed through cooperation, mutual responsibility and established international principles.

Khokhar also criticised what Pakistan described as India’s unilateral actions concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, referring to them as the “weaponisation of water.” He said water must never be turned into an instrument of coercion, political leverage or war.

Pakistan welcomed the retention of the transboundary water cooperation reference in the final resolution, saying such cooperation is important to realizing the rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.

The measure is identified as draft resolution A/HRC/63/L.34, titled “The human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.” Germany and Spain submitted the draft, which was ultimately adopted without a vote.

Two proposed amendments, L.39 and L.40, were rejected before the main resolution was adopted. Each amendment received 10 votes in favour, 17 against and nine abstentions.

The 63rd session of the Human Rights Council was held in Geneva from Sept. 7 to Oct. 7, 2026.