Pakistan Water Security Small Dams Initiative Water Shortage Solutions Indus Waters Treaty National Water Management — Pakistani officials inspect a new small dam under construction to strengthen water supply across the country.

Pakistan to build small dams against India water aggression now

Pakistan launches nationwide small dam projects to boost water security and manage shortages amid rising India-Pakistan water tensions.

By Fahad Last updated Feb 18, 2026

Pakistan Vs India – (Web Desk) – The federal government has unveiled a detailed plan to tackle India’s water-related pressures, focusing on strengthening the country’s water security by building small reservoirs nationwide. Officials say the government aims to bring provinces together to address growing water shortages and speed up small dam construction.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assigned his adviser, Rana Sanaullah, to coordinate with political and provincial leaders to reach a broad consensus on the proposed projects. Sources indicate that the government will proceed only after securing agreement from all four provinces, as well as Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Rana Sanaullah will oversee talks between the federal and provincial governments to resolve differences and ensure a unified national strategy against water scarcity. Officials confirmed that consultations have already started, and ongoing projects will be prioritized to boost storage capacity and reduce the impact of recurring water shortages.

The emphasis on small and medium-sized reservoirs is being seen as a practical step to supplement major dams and improve local water management.

It is worth mentioning that the Indus Waters Treaty, signed on September 19, 1960, between Pakistan and India with the mediation of the World Bank, faces renewed uncertainty as India placed it in “abeyance” in 2025.

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Under the treaty framework, the Indus River system was divided through what experts describe as a hydraulic partition. The three eastern rivers, including Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, were allocated to India for unrestricted use, while the three western rivers, including Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, were allocated to Pakistan.

India was permitted limited use of the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes such as domestic consumption, certain irrigation needs, and run-of-the-river hydroelectric projects that do not involve water storage.

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To manage technical matters and resolve disputes, the treaty established the Permanent Indus Commission, comprising one commissioner from each country. The commission has historically served as a forum for dialogue and data exchange, even during periods of heightened political tension between the two neighbors.