New Delhi: Pakistan has intensified its rhetoric over the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, with both the country’s military leadership and senior political figures issuing strong warnings over the future of water sharing with India. The statements come as tensions remain high following India’s decision to keep the 1960 treaty in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.
Pakistan’s military leadership reaffirmed its commitment to securing what it described as the country’s rightful share of water under the treaty. During a high level Corps Commanders’ Conference chaired by Field Marshal Asim Munir, military officials pledged to take all necessary measures in line with government directives to safeguard Pakistan’s water interests. The meeting also reviewed the country’s security situation, counter terrorism operations, and military preparedness.
Pakistan’s National Security Committee has maintained that any attempt to stop or divert water allocated under the treaty would be treated as an act of war. The committee also reiterated its support for Kashmir and stressed continued vigilance against conventional and hybrid security threats.
Adding to the strong messaging, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari declared that there would be no compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty. He said Pakistan was prepared to fight on every front if required to protect its water rights, accusing India of attempting to use water as a strategic tool.
India has remained firm on its position, stating that the treaty will continue to remain suspended until Pakistan takes credible and irreversible action against cross border terrorism. New Delhi has also made it clear that agreements cannot operate independently of the prevailing security environment.
The Indus Waters Treaty governs the sharing of the Indus river system between the two countries. While Pakistan relies heavily on the western rivers for agriculture and water supply, India has accelerated work on several hydroelectric projects in the Indus basin. With the treaty suspended, India is also no longer obligated to share monsoon flood data with Pakistan, making the water dispute an increasingly significant strategic issue in relations between the two neighbours.
