"War then water: Pakistan’s border villagers face back-to-back evacuations" Article Reflection No. 152 (8/30/2025)

Article: “War then water: Pakistan’s border villagers face back-to-back evacuations” 

Reflection: 

In the Reuters article “War then water: Pakistan’s border villagers face back-to-back evacuations,” journalist Ariba Shahid discusses the hardships that Pakistan now faces with the heavy monsoons that flooded rivers and are forcing mass evacuations. These evacuations follow the forced migration that came as a result of the tension with India, and the article seems to suggest that the floods are connected to their strained relationship: through the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, which had allowed for a more transparent relaying of river data, there is the perspective that the floods were actually worse. The author also notes that upon climate change, this situation may exacerbate. 

The aspect of this article that stands out to me most is the impact of the treaty on the floods and their effects on communities. The unfolding destruction in these communities shows how the Indus Water Treaty had an extensive role. I find it so interesting how all of these seemingly-different sectors of government, life, and communities are, in one shape or form, related to each other and impact each other. I think this goes to show how each choice one makes—especially those in power—can have the potential to make an extensive impact. But then again, I asked my AP Gov teacher the other day about what he learned about how realistic it is to make change from the bottom up. He emphasized on the role of the people and the public opinion. So maybe it’s not so much of a top-down approach that’s most important—maybe the bottom-up is as important or perhaps even more important?