Water Diverting Could Be Considered an Act of War: Pakistan
News Desk
Islamabad:In a significant development, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) has issued a stern warning to India, stating that any move to divert water that lawfully belongs to Pakistan would be regarded as an act of war.
The warning came in the wake of a high-level NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where Pakistan’s top civil-military decision-making body strongly condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
The treaty, a crucial agreement for regional stability, has been vital for Pakistan, especially as the country relies heavily on its water resources, which support a population of 240 million.
The NSC emphasized that water is a critical national interest for Pakistan, and the government has pledged to protect its water rights at all costs.
“If India attempts to block or divert the flow of water that belongs to Pakistan, it will be considered a declaration of war,” the committee stated in its communiqué. India’s actions were described as reckless, disregarding international laws, UN Security Council resolutions, and its global obligations.
The situation escalated after the Indian government’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty and impose further restrictions following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 Pakistani tourists were killed.
In response, Pakistan has taken immediate retaliatory steps, including limiting the Indian High Commission’s diplomatic staff in Islamabad to just 30, effective April 30.
Pakistan has also closed its airspace to Indian flights and suspended all trade with India, including trade routed through third countries. Additionally, the Wagah Border crossing has been closed.
Pakistan’s leadership reaffirmed its commitment to defending the nation, asserting that both the people and the armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any aggression. The communiqué also echoed the sentiments of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, asserting that India’s actions validate the Two-Nation Theory and confirm the fears expressed by Jinnah regarding the nature of Indo-Pakistan relations.
The NSC’s statement comes after India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) outlined a series of measures as part of what it calls a “decisive response to cross-border terrorism.” These measures include the immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post Attari and issuing a deadline for Pakistani nationals to leave India by May 1, 2025.
In addition, India has canceled the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, with those holding the visa required to leave India within 48 hours. India also declared military, naval, and air advisers at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata, ordering them to leave within a week, while reducing its High Commission staff from 55 to 30 by May 1.
Pakistan Stands Firm
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, stressed that India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is not valid, as the agreement involves multiple stakeholders, including the World Bank.
He also criticized India for unjustly blaming Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack, which Pakistan strongly denies, stating that terrorism in India is a result of domestic insurgencies, not external forces. Asif also expressed concerns over a potential “false flag operation,” a view echoed by several defense analysts who have questioned the credibility of India’s accusations.
Meanwhile, in response to the ongoing tensions, India has blocked the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan, citing a legal demand.
PPP’s Marri Condemns India’s Propaganda
In a statement, Shazia Marri, spokesperson for the Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP), condemned India’s actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a blatant violation of international law.
She urged India to respect international diplomacy and focus on a proper investigation of the Pahalgam incident instead of making baseless allegations. Marri emphasized that Pakistan remains a strong and responsible nation capable of defending its rights and sovereignty.
Pakistan has vowed to raise the issue of India’s violations at international forums and ensure that the global community takes notice of India’s attempts to monopolize water resources in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. She concluded by reinforcing the nation’s unity in defending its sovereignty and standing by its armed forces.
