PM warns India against violating Indus Waters Treaty

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warned India that any move to stop the flow of water into Pakistan, in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), would be met with a “decisive response”.

“Enemy can’t snatch even a single drop of water from Pakistan,” the premier said while addressing an event in Islamabad marking International Youth Day. “If you attempt such a move, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget.”

Prime Minister stressed that water was the country’s lifeline and that Pakistan would not compromise on its rights under international agreements. His warning comes after India put the IWT in abeyance following an April militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that killed 26 people — an incident New Delhi blames on Islamabad, an accusation Pakistan denies.

The prime minister also referred to the May conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, calling it the “heaviest fighting in decades” before a US-brokered ceasefire. He said Pakistan Air Force had downed six Indian fighter jets on May 10, terming it a “historic moment” that sank India’s pride.

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The IWT, signed in 1960 with World Bank mediation, governs water usage in the Indus River basin and contains no provision for unilateral suspension or termination.

During his address, Shehbaz Sharif also announced the distribution of 100,000 interest-free laptops to students on merit, pledging transparency in the process. He reiterated his government’s commitment to empowering youth through education and technology, and congratulated the nation on Independence Day, paying tribute to minorities and all segments of society for their role in Pakistan’s creation and progress.