New Delhi: As diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan continue over the future of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Pakistan’s recent emphasis on its pre-Islamic heritage and the Indus Valley Civilisation has attracted international attention. The renewed narrative comes at a time when Islamabad is intensifying its diplomatic efforts after India placed the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the April 2025 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 28 civilians.
For decades, Pakistan’s official historical narrative largely centred on its Islamic identity, tracing its origins to the arrival of Muhammad bin Qasim in Sindh in 711 CE. However, recent statements by Pakistani leaders, suggest a greater focus on the region’s ancient civilisations, including the Indus Valley Civilisation and Gandharan heritage.
The shift has coincided with Pakistan’s campaign to challenge India’s decision regarding the Indus Waters Treaty on international platforms. Analysts have noted that Islamabad appears to be linking its ancient civilisational legacy with its contemporary position on the Indus river system, prompting discussion about the role of history in modern geopolitical disputes.
International attention to Pakistan’s cultural heritage has also increased in recent weeks. On June 19, Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Timothy Kane visited the archaeological site of Taxila, describing it as a historic centre of learning that connected cultures and ideas across the region. He highlighted the site’s significance as an important part of Pakistan’s rich historical heritage.
A few days later, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott announced a second round of heritage funding under the United Kingdom’s Cultural Protection Fund. The initiative, led by the British Council in Pakistan and the UK’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport, aims to support organisations working to preserve cultural heritage considered at risk across Pakistan.
At the same time, academic interest in Sanskrit has received attention within Pakistan. According to reports, Lahore University of Management Sciences has introduced Sanskrit courses, with plans to incorporate the language into its regular curriculum. Scholars associated with the initiative have argued that the language should not be viewed as foreign but as part of the region’s shared historical legacy.
The developments stand in contrast to Pakistan’s long-standing ideological framework shaped by the Two-Nation Theory and further reinforced during the Islamisation policies introduced under former military ruler General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq. The renewed emphasis on ancient civilisations therefore represents a notable evolution in Pakistan’s public historical discourse.
The debate has gained further prominence following statements by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who referred to Mohenjo-daro and the Indus Valley Civilisation while criticising India’s decision on the Indus Waters Treaty. He argued that Pakistan is the custodian of the Indus civilisation and linked that legacy to the country’s position on the river system.
India, however, has maintained that its decision to place the treaty in abeyance followed the Pahalgam terror attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that “blood and water cannot flow together,” underscoring India’s position that continued cooperation under the treaty cannot be separated from concerns over cross-border terrorism.
Pakistan has strongly opposed India’s move, warning of possible regional consequences. Islamabad has also raised the issue before international forums, including the United Nations and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, while continuing diplomatic outreach to gather international support.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank and signed in 1960, has long been regarded as one of the few enduring agreements between the two neighbours despite multiple wars and periods of heightened tensions. India’s decision to suspend its implementation marks one of the most significant developments in the treaty’s history.
