San Francisco, California – February 13, 2026:
Veteran Pakistani fisheries scientist, environmental expert, and Professor Emeritus at the University of the Punjab, Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khan, strongly advocated Pakistan’s position on alleged violations of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) during the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), held in Chico, California, USA, from February 10–13, 2026.
Dr. Khan presented a research paper titled “Impact of Indus Water Treaty (IWT) Suspension on Pakistan’s Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecosystems,” which received wide appreciation from international delegates, researchers, and environmental experts attending the conference.
In his presentation, Dr. Khan warned the global environmental community about the potentially catastrophic ecological consequences of any suspension or disruption of water flows under the Indus Water Treaty framework. Drawing upon scientific evidence, he emphasized that reduced river flows could severely damage the fragile ecosystems that have sustained the Indus Valley Civilization for over five millennia.
The paper highlighted the significant adverse environmental impacts of water blockades and altered river flows on Pakistan’s freshwater ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity. It underscored the risks posed to agriculture, fisheries, food security, and the livelihoods of approximately 250 million people. Particular concern was expressed over the increasing threat of desertification in the fertile plains of lower riparian regions of Pakistan.
Dr. Khan called upon the international scientific and environmental community to recognize the ecological sensitivity of the Indus Basin and the urgent need to ensure compliance with international water-sharing agreements to safeguard regional environmental sustainability and human security.
