India is reportedly moving forward with a massive plan to construct 10 new mega hydropower projects in Ladakh, strategically placed to control the headwaters of the Indus River. Projects like Achinathang-Sanjak, Pharphila, Sumda (Batalik), and Khaltsi may be marketed as progress—but in reality, they pose a serious risk to the region’s water security. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲. Home to millions, Sindh relies heavily on the Indus for agriculture, drinking water, and livelihoods. Blocking or altering river flow upstream could trigger…
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Tariq Ismail Sagar writes: Will Pakistan eventually have to launch a nuclear attack on India over water?
This article is titled: “Will Pakistan eventually have to launch a nuclear attack on India over water?” Let us explain how India has already waged war against Pakistan, and how it continues to succeed in this war, while the Pakistani public and its rulers sleep soundly, under the illusion that India has not deployed its military against Pakistan on the battlefield. As expected, the World Bank rejected Pakistan’s complaints and evidence regarding the construction of the Kishanganga Dam, calling them insufficient. This is a major diplomatic defeat for Pakistan. The…
Read MoreWar or peace on the Indus?
War or peace on the Indus? May 6, 2025 John Briscoe Anyone foolish enough to write on war or peace in the Indus needs to first banish a set of immediate suspicions. I am neither Indian nor Pakistani. I am a South African who has worked on water issues in the subcontinent for 35 years and who has lived in Bangladesh (in the 1970s) and Delhi (in the 2000s). In 2006 I published, with fine Indian colleagues, an Oxford University Press book titled India’s Water Economy: Facing a Turbulent Future…
Read MoreYemen Attacks on Ships: Rising Tensions Lead to Petrol Price Hike
The recent escalation of attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has triggered global concerns, particularly regarding fuel prices. With major shipping routes under threat, oil transportation has been disrupted, leading to fears of a surge in petrol prices. Impact on Global Oil Supply The Red Sea is a crucial transit point for oil shipments from the Middle East to Europe and other parts of the world. Any disruption in this area forces oil tankers to take longer, more expensive routes, such as around the…
Read MoreMaintaining the current solar net-metering policy can save $1.5-2 billion annually on the energy import bill, reduce circular debt by Rs400-500 billion by displacing costly fossil fuels, cut CO2 emissions by over 10 million tons per year, and support achieving Pakistan’s target of 60% renewable energy by 2030.
If the new net metering policy is implemented—reducing buyback rates or imposing additional charges—the future of Pakistan’s solar industry could face significant setbacks: In short: Investment will slow, growth will stall, and Pakistan will miss out on cheaper, cleaner energy opportunities.
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