New Delhi, August 13: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warned India against attempting to cut off water supplies under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), declaring that his country would not allow “even one drop” to be taken. The warning comes in the wake of India’s decision to place the 1960 treaty in “abeyance” on April 23, a day after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, Sharif said, “I want to tell the enemy today that if you threaten to hold our water, then keep this in mind that you cannot snatch even one drop of Pakistan. If you attempt such an act, you will be again taught such a lesson that you will be left holding your ears.” Pakistan has repeatedly cautioned that blocking the Indus water flow would be considered an act of war.
Sharif’s statement followed similar remarks a day earlier by Pakistan People’s Party chairman and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who termed the treaty’s suspension an “attack on the Indus Valley Civilisation” and vowed Pakistan would not back down if pushed into war.
BJP leader and actor Mithun Chakraborty responded sharply to Bhutto-Zardari’s comments, warning that India could respond with “a series of BrahMos missiles.” In an unusual remark, he also said a dam would be built where “140 crore Indians will relieve themselves before the reservoir is opened to unleash a tsunami” against Pakistan. He clarified, however, that his anger was directed at the Pakistani establishment, not ordinary Pakistani citizens, whom he described as peace-loving.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir, addressing the Pakistani diaspora in Tampa, Florida, said Islamabad would destroy any dam built by India to stop water flow. “We will wait for India to build a dam, and when they do so, we will destroy it,” Munir was quoted by Dawn. He added, “The Indus River is not the Indians’ family property. We have no shortage of resources to undo Indian designs to stop the river.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded strongly on Monday, condemning Munir’s statements as “nuclear sabre-rattling” and asserting that they reinforced global concerns about the integrity of Pakistan’s nuclear command and control, given its military’s close links with terrorist groups. The MEA stressed that New Delhi will not give in to nuclear blackmail and will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national security.
The ministry also noted it was “regrettable” that such remarks were made from the soil of a “friendly third country,” in an apparent reference to the United States, where Munir delivered his comments.
