The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, on Thursday said halting water supply will be considered an act of war. Issued a challenge to India, urging it to provide evidence regarding Pakistan’s supposed involvement in a recent attack in occupied Kashmir.
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of the National Security Committee, Dar stated, “India has repeatedly engaged in the blame game. If there is any evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pahalgam incident, we request that it be shared with us and the international community.”
He was seated beside Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Awan.
The attack, which occurred in Pahalgam—a popular tourist destination in occupied Kashmir—resulted in the deaths of at least 26 individuals, primarily from various regions of India, along with one from Nepal, and left 17 others injured. This incident marks the deadliest assault on civilians in the area since 2000.
Several Indian media outlets reported that a previously unknown group, referred to as ‘The Resistance Front,’ has claimed responsibility for the attack.
In response to the incident, India took significant steps, including closing its borders, reducing diplomatic relations, and, in an unprecedented action, unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The Bharatiya Janata Party government and associated media have accused Islamabad of supporting cross-border terrorism without presenting any substantiated proof.
Read also: Pakistan suspends trade, ties and flights off-limits in response to India’s actions
Addressing the conference, the Defence Minister termed Narendra Modi is internationally declared terrorist who often blamed Pakistan for his failure.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Khawaja Asif, emphasised that the World Bank will be informed about India’s statements, and he warned that any attempt to halt water flow would be regarded as an act of war. He asserted that Pakistan has every right to defend itself and will not succumb to international pressure concerning its territorial sovereignty.
Asif also referred to the Pahalgam incident, stating that Narendra Modi is the only leader who has been internationally labelled as a terrorist. He claimed that no one in history has committed acts of terrorism comparable to those attributed to Modi. He further noted that if the safety of Pakistani citizens is compromised, the citizens of India will also be at risk, accusing India of exporting terrorism to Canada and the United States.
Prime Minister Nazir Tard, the Law Minister, conveyed a clear message from Pakistan: the country will go to great lengths to defend the Indus Water Treaty.
