Chairperson PPP, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said water was not merely a geographical issue but one that directly affected food security, livelihoods and the future of millions.
“Water is not just geography; it is about food, the future and life,” he said, adding that the world had increasingly recognised water resources as a central issue in global politics and security.
Drawing a comparison with global shipping routes, Bilawal said that just as any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz affected the global economy, uninterrupted flows in the Indus River system were vital to Pakistan’s survival.
“The use of sea lanes or water resources as a weapon is a dangerous trend for international peace,” he said, adding that lasting peace between Pakistan and India would not be possible without the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Bilawal said Pakistan had complied with the terms of the ceasefire, while India had not fully honoured its commitments. He stressed that Pakistan’s rights over the waters of the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers were recognised under international agreements and should be fully protected.
“Water should not be viewed merely as a technical dispute but as a matter of national security,” he said, adding that Pakistan desired peace but would not compromise on its people’s fundamental rights or its water interests. “The entire Pakistani nation stands united in protecting the water rights of millions, and the use of water as political pressure or as a weapon is contrary to international law and treaties.”
