ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday issued a firm warning to India, stating that any attempt to disrupt the flow of water into Pakistan in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) would be met with a decisive response. Speaking at an event commemorating International Youth Day in Islamabad, the premier declared, “The enemy cannot snatch even a single drop of water from Pakistan.”
He emphasized that water is a vital lifeline for Pakistan and vowed that the country would never compromise its rights guaranteed under international agreements. The prime minister added, “If you threaten to stop our water, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget.”
The warning comes in the wake of India’s decision to put the IWT on hold following a deadly militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in April, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan — an allegation Islamabad rejects. India’s unilateral suspension of the treaty contradicts the pact’s terms, which have clear dispute resolution mechanisms and no provision for suspension or termination by either party.
PM Shehbaz also referred to the May conflict between Pakistan and India, describing it as a defining moment. “A new Pakistan has emerged after our armed forces defeated the enemy on May 10,” he said. He proudly recalled how the Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian fighter jets, including four Rafales, calling it a “historic moment” for the country.
He reiterated that the recent conflict was the heaviest fighting between the two neighbors in decades, which ended with a ceasefire brokered by the United States.
The prime minister also highlighted the importance of youth in Pakistan’s future and announced the distribution of 100,000 interest-free laptops to high-achieving students nationwide. “This government believes in transparency and merit, and we will ensure both in the distribution process,” he assured.
In his remarks, PM Shehbaz conveyed Independence Day greetings to representatives of the Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Parsi communities present at the event. He acknowledged their vital contributions, saying, “The brothers and sisters of minority communities played an integral role not only in the founding of Pakistan but also in its development.”
His statements come amid increasing tensions over water-sharing rights governed by the IWT, a treaty brokered by the World Bank in 1960. Recently, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague ruled that India cannot unilaterally suspend the treaty and must allow the flow of western rivers to Pakistan for “unrestricted use,” a ruling India has refused to recognize.
Pakistan’s military leadership has also made it clear that it will defend the Indus River at all costs. Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reportedly warned during a recent visit to the United States that Pakistan would not hesitate to destroy any dam India attempts to build on the Indus to choke the water supply.
The prime minister’s firm stance reflects Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its water rights and territorial integrity while encouraging national unity, minority inclusion, and youth empowerment as key pillars of progress.
