Islamabad: Pakistan’s Foreign Office has strongly condemned recent remarks made by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), describing them as a blatant violation of international obligations. Shah had asserted that New Delhi would never restore the treaty with Islamabad, prompting a sharp rebuke from the Pakistani government.
Responding to his statement, the Foreign Office emphasized that such remarks undermine the sanctity of international agreements. It noted that the Indus Waters Treaty is a non-political accord that does not allow for unilateral withdrawal or suspension.
“The Indian announcement to suspend the treaty is illegal and represents a flagrant breach of international law and the fundamental principles of the agreement,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
It warned that this posture sets an "irresponsible and dangerous precedent," damaging the credibility of international treaties and raising serious concerns about the trustworthiness and good faith of a state that openly disregards its legal commitments.
Labeling the use of water as a political weapon as “reckless,” the Foreign Office called on India to ensure the full restoration of the treaty without delay. “Weaponizing water for political purposes is unacceptable for a responsible state,” the statement added.
Concluding its remarks, the Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan’s full commitment to the treaty and pledged to take all necessary measures to protect its rightful share of water.
Earlier on Friday night, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while addressing supporters, warned New Delhi that Pakistan would "fight another war and take back all six rivers" if India violated the treaty. “We know how to defend our rivers,” he declared.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also denounced India’s unilateral move, calling it “a clear violation and an act of water aggression,” and warned that Pakistan would respond forcefully in line with the decisions taken by the National Security Committee (NSC) in its April 24 meeting.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah voiced strong opposition to the Indian central government’s alleged plan to divert additional water from the three western rivers under the IWT to Punjab and other neighboring states.
Speaking on Friday, Abdullah questioned the rationale behind such a move, stating, “Why should they be given more water when they already have three rivers and Jammu & Kashmir is facing a severe water crisis?” He added that the region is experiencing drought-like conditions, with dry taps and water scarcity in many areas.
His comments came in response to a proposed plan to construct a 113-kilometer canal to redirect excess water from the western rivers of the Indus system.
Abdullah also recalled past instances of water disputes with Punjab during the Ujh multipurpose project and the Shahpur Kandi barrage, highlighting that Jammu & Kashmir had to wait for years before any work on the Shahpur Kandi barrage resumed.
