Chenab Dam Projects
Chenab Dam Projects: India is speeding up several major hydropower projects on the upper Chenab River. These projects include Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, Ratle, and the large Sawalkote dam. The government has issued tenders. Many Indian engineering and construction companies have joined the work.
Legal Debate
Many experts in Pakistan ask whether Pakistan can legally strike these dams if India builds them. They base this question on Article 56 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. This law gives special protection to dams, dykes, and similar structures during war.
Some legal experts argue that a dam loses this protection if it serves a military purpose. They say a country cannot claim civilian protection for a dam that it uses to pressure another country by controlling its water supply.
India’s Position
These experts also point to statements by Indian leaders. India’s Water Resources Minister, C.R. Patil, said that India would not allow a single drop of water to flow to Pakistan in the coming years. The Indian government did not withdraw or correct this statement. Some experts believe it reflects India’s official policy.
The article argues that India has taken a hostile position by keeping the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. It says India could use water to damage Pakistan’s agriculture, food production, and economy. Therefore, the article claims Pakistan could justify preventive action under the principle of anticipatory self-defence.
Laws of War
The article also explains the laws of armed conflict. It says Article 56 normally protects dams because an attack could release large amounts of water and kill civilians. However, the law removes this protection if a dam directly supports military operations and no other practical option exists.
The article also refers to Article 52 of Additional Protocol I. This article defines military objectives. It says an object can become a military target if it supports military action and destroying it gives a clear military advantage.
Treaty Dispute
The article claims India has linked these dam projects to its strategy against Pakistan. It says India has presented the projects as a way to pressure Pakistan. If India had built these dams only under the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan would have had fewer legal objections. The article argues that India’s decision to suspend the treaty has changed the legal situation.
Final Argument
The article concludes that Pakistan may try to stop these projects because they could become strategic tools against the country. It also argues that an unfinished dam may not receive the same legal protection as a completed one. An empty dam does not contain dangerous water. Therefore, the article says international law may treat it differently during an armed conflict.
Published in Dawn, 26th June 2026
