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India controls the eastern rivers (Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) with unrestricted use, while Pakistan has primary rights over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab), though India can use them for non-consumptive purposes like hydropower.
If India starts blocking access to water from all 6 rivers, Pakistan will be hit by a water scarcity crisis and its economy will be in serious trouble as 70% of Pakistan’s water needs are covered by these rivers.
Pakistan’s Punjab and Sindh provinces, which are key agricultural hubs, would face severe water shortages followed by reduced crop yields, food insecurity, and economic losses.