Shehbaz Warns India Against Diverting Pakistan’s Indus Waters
“Any attempt to stop, impede, or divert Pakistan’s share of the waters will be treated as an act of war,” Shehbaz said. “India must make no mistake about it.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of the Indus River system would be treated as an “act of war”, as he criticised India’s unilateral action concerning the Indus Waters Treaty.
Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 25, the prime minister said the shared waters of the Indus River system were the “lifeblood” not only of Pakistan but of the wider region.
“Any attempt to stop, impede, or divert Pakistan’s share of the waters will be treated as an act of war,” Shehbaz said. “India must make no mistake about it.”
Shehbaz Says Water Cannot Be Used as a Weapon
The prime minister criticised India’s unilateral move concerning the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it illegal and maintaining that water could not be used as a weapon against Pakistan.
His remarks on water came as part of a broader section of his UNGA address dealing with Pakistan-India relations, Kashmir and last year’s military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Referring to that confrontation, Shehbaz said Pakistan had faced what he described as unprovoked Indian aggression and that Pakistan’s armed forces, under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, had responded professionally.
He also acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s intervention in helping halt the fighting between Pakistan and India.
Kashmir Dispute
Turning to Kashmir, the prime minister called for a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, saying Kashmiris had looked towards the United Nations for eight decades for the fulfilment of their right to self-determination.
“Jammu and Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein and will always remain so,” he said, reiterating Pakistan’s political, diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiris.
Terrorism Remains Major Global Threat
Shehbaz also described terrorism as a grave threat to international peace and security, saying Pakistan had remained on the front line of the fight against terrorism.
He said Pakistan had lost nearly 100,000 lives and suffered approximately $150 billion in economic losses in its fight against terrorism.
The prime minister alleged that the TTP, which Pakistan refers to as “Fitna al-Khawarij”, and the BLA, which the government refers to as “Fitna al-Hindustan”, were using Afghan territory to carry out attacks against Pakistan.
Pakistan Reaffirms Commitment to UN Charter
Opening his address, Shehbaz said it was an honour to represent Pakistan’s 240 million peace-loving people at the UN General Assembly for the fourth time.
Quoting verse 61 of Surah Al-Anfal — “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it” — the prime minister said the pursuit of peace remained one of humanity’s greatest endeavours.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the UN Charter, international peace and global prosperity, saying dialogue and diplomacy must remain at the centre of efforts to resolve conflicts in an increasingly volatile world.
