Pakistani PM Declares India’s Water Hostility a Treaty Breach, Vows Unified National Response

Report by “Safarti Tarjuman” International News Desk

ISLAMABAD _ Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), calling it a “clear violation of international law” and an “act of water aggression.” He warned that Pakistan will issue a decisive response under the framework approved by the National Security Committee (NSC) on April 24.

Chairing a high-level meeting on water resources at the Prime Minister’s House, the premier vowed that just as Pakistan emerged victorious in recent conflicts, it would now prevail on the water front.

The meeting included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, all four provincial chief ministers, AJK Prime Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister, and senior federal and provincial officials.

Calling the issue “a national battle for justice,” the Prime Minister stressed the importance of a united front. “India’s threats to weaponize water are illegal and politically motivated. The Indus Waters Treaty cannot be revoked unilaterally, and any such attempt is null and void,” he said.

The prime minister underscored that India’s threats to weaponize water violate the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty — a binding international agreement. “India’s claims to unilaterally exit the treaty are both politically misleading and legally invalid,” he stated.

Chief ministers from Punjab, Sindh, KP, and Balochistan, along with AJK and GB leadership, unanimously supported the federal government’s stance. PM Shehbaz praised the unity, saying, “Our water security is a shared responsibility. This national consensus strengthens our diplomatic and defensive posture.”

To counter future water insecurity, PM Shehbaz directed the formation of a high-powered committee, led by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, to develop funding strategies for new dams. The committee includes all provincial chief ministers, AJK and GB leaders, and relevant federal ministers, and is required to present recommendations within 72 hours.

“We will expedite non-controversial dam projects. Water is not a provincial issue — it’s a national priority,” the premier said.

Current Projects and Challenges Highlighted

Officials briefed participants on the status of Pakistan’s water infrastructure:

• Diamer-Bhasha Dam: Completion expected by 2032
• Mohmand Dam: Scheduled for completion in 2027
• Existing Storage Capacity: 15.318 million acre-feet across 11 dams
• Ongoing Projects: 32 dams under PSDP, 79 under annual development programs

The prime minister raised concern over silt accumulation in major reservoirs like Tarbela and Mangla, which has significantly reduced their capacity. He urged bold, urgent action to address long-term water storage.

PM Shehbaz also lauded his economic and foreign affairs teams for securing loans from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, despite India’s diplomatic pressure. “India lobbied hard to block our projects — but they failed. This diplomatic success reflects Pakistan’s credible and principled stance,” he noted.

Concluding the session, PM Shehbaz called for solidarity across civilian and military institutions to safeguard water for future generations. “As our armed forces defended our borders, we must now defend every drop of water. Our survival depends on it,” he affirmed.

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