Under the Indus Waters Treaty, India was granted exclusive control over the eastern rivers - Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej - while Pakistan was given rights over the western rivers - Indus, Jhelum and Chenab - despite their origins in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan’s water crisis is worsened by poor irrigation, water-intensive crops, and inefficient management. A 2018 International Monetary Fund report ranked Pakistan third among nations facing severe water shortages. Climate change and glacial melt, after initially increasing flows, are expected to reduce peak water levels by 2030.