MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 19th Apr, 2026) India’s continued violations of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) are emerging as a serious
threat not only to South Punjab’s agriculture but also to the livelihoods of millions of farm
labourers particularly women, whose economic survival is closely tied to seasonal agricultural
work.
Regarded as Pakistan’s food basket, South Punjab produces a remarkable share of the country’s
cotton, wheat, sugarcane, and vegetables. The region’s fertile lands and canal-based irrigation
system sustain millions of people. However, any disruption in water availability especially due
to India‘s interference can have devastating consequences for the entire agricultural chain.
At the centre of this system are agricultural labourers, a large proportion of whom are women.
These women are not only workers but they also possess years of experience and expertise
in delicate and labour-intensive farm activities. From cotton picking to vegetable harvesting,
fodder cutting to crop maintenance, their role is both specialized and indispensable.
Experts warn that if water disruption persist due to violations of the Indus Waters Treaty,
crop production would decline sharply. This, in turn, will directly reduce the demand for farm
labour, rendering million of workers unemployed.
Farmer Ameer Hamza emphasized the gravity of the situation. “Water shortages mean fewer
crops, and fewer crops mean no work for labourers. Women, who are highly skilled in tasks
like cotton picking, will be the first to lose their livelihoods,” he said. Muhammad Ashnaaq Wattoo
highlighted that women labourers were the backbone of agricultural productivity. “These women
are trained through years of experience. If farmland activities slow down due to lack of water,
their skills will go unused, and they will have no alternative employment,” he maintained.
Khalid Chaudhry pointed out that the informal nature of women’s work makes them even
more vulnerable. “Most female labourers are paid on a daily or seasonal basis. If there
is no sowing or harvesting, they simply have no income. This directly affects their families’ survival,”
he said. The economic impact is far-reaching. For many rural households, women’s earnings
are a crucial component of daily sustenance. Their income contributes to food, education,
and healthcare expenses also. If these women are pushed out of agricultural work due to
declining water availability, entire families could face financial collapse. Irshad Bibi, a farm worker,
shared her concerns. “We are skilled in farm work only. This is what we know. If there is
no water and no crops, there will be no work for us. Our children will suffer the most because
we depend on this income,” she said.
They all also cautioned that such a scenario could lead to widespread unemployment among
rural women, increased poverty levels, and social instability. With limited alternative job
opportunities in villages, many affected families would be forced to migrate to urban areas
in search of work, adding pressure to already strained city resources. The situation underscores
the urgent need for effective implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty and proactive
measures to safeguard Pakistan’s water rights.
Without timely intervention, the consequences will extend beyond agriculture, deeply
impacting the socio-economic fabric of South Punjab. As the water crisis looms, it is clear
that the first and hardest hit will be those who are least visible yet most essential, the women
labourers whose skilled hands sustain the fields, and whose livelihoods now hang in the balance.
They demanded the international community to take notice of the situation at the earliest.