Local Pakistani Communities Mobilize Against India’s Chenab Dam Operations
In response to dwindling water supplies from the Chenab River, communities in Pakistan’s Punjab province are organizing grassroots protests and petitions to draw international attention to India’s dam operations. From Sialkot to Jhang, farmers, activists, and civil society groups have formed water rights coalitions, staging sit-ins and social media campaigns demanding justice.
One major rally held near the Marala Headworks gathered over 5,000 participants, with demonstrators waving banners reading “Save Our Rivers” and “Water is Life, Not a Weapon.” The protestors accuse India of using water as a geopolitical tool and call on Pakistan’s government to take stronger action in international forums.
Local leaders are also mobilizing legal efforts. A coalition of agricultural unions has filed a public interest lawsuit in Lahore High Court demanding government intervention, citing Article 9 of Pakistan’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to life — interpreted by the courts to include access to clean water.
Human rights organizations have joined the outcry, highlighting the impact on women and children, who bear the brunt of water shortages. In rural areas, the drop in river flow means longer walks to fetch water, reduced sanitation, and increased disease outbreaks. “This isn’t just a treaty dispute between two governments,” says Bushra Khokhar, a community health organizer in Gujrat. “It’s about people who are running out of water.”
These grassroots movements mark a shift in the discourse — from elite-level diplomacy to everyday survival. The mobilization may put additional pressure on Islamabad to intensify diplomatic and legal efforts. Meanwhile, Indian officials view the protests as “orchestrated pressure tactics,” insisting the operations are compliant with treaty norms.
As river flow continues to drop, the people living along its banks are refusing to remain silent — turning the Chenab dispute into a potent symbol of resistance and resilience.
