Pakistan to Take Indus Waters Dispute to World Bank, Says Khawaja Asif

News Desk

Islamabad: Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced on Friday that Pakistan will approach the World Bank to seek the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty in light of India’s unilateral actions regarding the agreement.

The Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, governs the distribution of water from the Indus River and its tributaries. In an interview with BBC, Khawaja Asif stated that India cannot take any unilateral decision to alter the terms of the treaty without mutual consent.

In response to a question about Pakistan’s military preparedness in the face of potential aggression, Asif emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces are fully prepared to deal with any eventuality. He said, “We are already prepared for dealing with any misadventure.”

Regarding concerns over rising tensions if India were to stop the flow of water from Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan, the minister warned that such actions could lead to further escalation. “No one can deprive Pakistan of its water rights,” he added.

When questioned about the possibility of terrorist elements infiltrating into India from the region, Asif dismissed the notion, pointing out the heavy military presence on both sides of the Line of Control. He assured that such infiltration is impossible due to the substantial deployment of troops.

The statements came amid growing concerns over India’s actions in Kashmir and the potential impacts on the vital water resources shared between the two countries.