Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said Pakistan believes in peace but will not allow India to weaponize water. He was speaking at the launch of special report titled “Weaponizing Waters: Historical, Legal, and Strategic Dimensions of IWT Suspension” at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad. The Information Minister said the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally altered, rescinded, revoked or held in abeyance. He mentioned that the court of arbitration has also upheld Pakistan's stance and gave legitimacy and strength to our argument that there cannot be any unilateral attempts to change the status of the Treaty.

Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan has approached this matter diplomatically by engaging the international community and presenting its stance. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly stated that the Indus Waters Treaty is lifeblood of our people and the region, emphasizing that any attempt to usurp this right will be treated as an act of war. The Information Minister stressed that Pakistan's stance with regards to the Indus Waters Treaty has been absolutely clear and it has been supported by many countries. He said the treaty is an instrument of peace and stability for the region.

He said any attempt to weaponize water or create controversy around the Indus Waters Treaty is highly condemnable and unjustifiable on legal, diplomatic and moral grounds. The Information Minister said the international community must recognize the wider precedent involved, warning that allowing a state to unilaterally hold a binding international water treaty in abeyance despite established dispute resolution mechanisms could undermine transboundary water governance worldwide. He said this can have implications for other countries which have treaties with regard to sharing of water. Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan will continue to engage with the international community on the matter and continue to defend its vital national interests in accordance with international law.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)