— FO slams Indian Home Minister’s ‘blatant disregard’ for Int’l agreements over IWT comments
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has condemned Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s “provocative and inflammatory” comments on the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any move to stop Pakistan’s water will be considered an act of war.
Ishaq Dar made these remarks during the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting hosted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Türkiye. He stressed that Pakistan is taking all necessary steps to ensure regional stability.
“The provocative and inflammatory statements made by the Indian leadership, along with India’s unilateral and illegal actions, particularly its decision to suspend the IWT, show an intent to further destabilize the region,” he said.
“Let me state categorically: Pakistan will not allow India to stop water to our people. Any such action will be treated as an act of war,” Dar warned.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office also condemned Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s blatant disregard for international agreements following his statement that New Delhi would never restore the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Islamabad.
FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, while responding to Shah’s comments, emphasized that they reflected “a brazen disregard for the sanctity of international agreements.” He further pointed out that the IWT is an apolitical agreement with no provisions for unilateral actions.
“India’s illegal announcement to suspend the treaty is a clear violation of international law, the treaty’s provisions, and the fundamental principles governing interstate relations,” the FO stated.
“Such conduct sets a reckless and dangerous precedent, undermining the credibility of international agreements and raising serious concerns about the reliability and trustworthiness of a state that openly refuses to honour its legal obligations,” it added.
The FO also condemned India’s actions as “weaponising water for political ends,” which it described as irresponsible and contrary to the conduct of a responsible state. It called on India to immediately restore full implementation of the IWT.
“For its part, Pakistan remains firmly committed to the treaty and will take all necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and entitlements under it,” the statement concluded.
