Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday issued a stern warning to India over any attempt to restrict Pakistan’s share of water from the Indus River, declaring that not “even one drop” could be taken away.
Tensions escalated earlier this year when India, following an attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26 people, announced in April it was holding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance—a move Pakistan condemned as an “act of war,” arguing the treaty allows no unilateral suspension. Pakistan also considered legal action under the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties.
In June, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague ruled that India could not unilaterally halt the treaty. Earlier this week, the PCA further clarified that India must allow the western rivers’ waters to flow for Pakistan’s “unrestricted use.” India, however, maintains it does not recognise the court or its verdicts.
Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, PM Shehbaz warned India of severe consequences if it tried to block Pakistan’s water supply, recalling that Pakistan’s air force had previously downed six Indian fighter jets, including four Rafales.
He also extended Independence Day greetings to Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Parsi communities, acknowledging their contributions to both the creation and progress of Pakistan. Reflecting on the May conflict between the two countries, he said the enemy was dealt a blow “they will remember for a lifetime.”
The prime minister urged the youth to participate actively in the nation’s development and announced the distribution of 100,000 laptops to high-achieving students nationwide.
