A proposal from a prominent group of Pakistani intellectuals has ignited a nationwide debate this week, suggesting that the government adopt “Indus Republic” as the country’s second official name.
The movement aims to reclaim the nation’s 5,000-year-old civilizational identity at a time when its primary water source has become a diplomatic battlefield.
🚨 A group has proposed the Pakistani govt to adopt second official name for the country as the “Indus Republic”.
— Intellectuals linked with the group claim that adopting “Indus” as second name for Pakistan will connect it to its culture and heritage of Indus valley.
— South Asia Index (@SouthAsiaIndex) December 19, 2025
The proposal, which began circulating in academic and social circles earlier this year, argues that while the “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” defines the state’s modern ideological foundation, “Indus Republic” (or Islami Jamhuriya-e-Sindhu) would honor the historical continuity of the land.
Reclaiming a 5,000-Year Legacy
Proponents of the name change emphasize that the heart of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) including iconic sites like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, lies entirely within Pakistan’s borders.
Intellectuals argue that names like Sapta-Sindhu and Indos prove that the land has always been defined by the Indus River, long before the borders of 1947 were drawn.
The group suggests that this rebranding would counter the narrative that Pakistan’s history is only seven decades old, instead positioning the nation as the primary heir to one of humanity’s oldest urban cultures.
The timing of the proposal is deeply linked to regional shifts.
Following discussions in 2023–2024 about India potentially rebranding officially as “Bharat,” Pakistani nationalists have argued that Pakistan holds the legitimate geographical claim to the name “India,” as it encompasses the majority of the Indus (India) River basin.
“If our neighbors renounce the name ‘India,’ it returns to its rightful home, the Indus Valley,” one scholar noted during a recent discussion thread on the matter.
“Water War” Context
The proposal gains additional weight due to the current crisis over the Indus Waters Treaty.
In April 2025, India placed the 1960 water-sharing agreement in “abeyance” following regional security escalations.
On December 19, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar accused New Delhi of “weaponizing water” by manipulating the flow of the Chenab River, calling unilateral actions a direct threat to Pakistan’s agricultural and economic security.
Official Stance
As of today, December 20, 2025, the Pakistani government has not issued an official statement regarding the formal adoption of “Indus Republic” as a second name.
However, the “Indus Conclave 2025” and various policy insights suggest that the “Indus narrative” is increasingly being viewed as a “civilizational spine” to strengthen Pakistan’s soft power and national cohesion.
