Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday warned that any attempt to unilaterally alter the Indus Waters Treaty would have serious consequences.
Addressing a session on the Indus Waters Treaty, Dar said undermining cross-border water agreements would come at a heavy cost and warned that violations of international treaties would not remain limited to two countries.
He said such actions could set a dangerous precedent in international relations and weaken trust and cooperation between states, while also affecting the global rules-based order.
Dar stressed that water is a basic necessity for more than 250 million people in Pakistan, adding that the country’s agriculture, energy and economy are heavily dependent on western rivers.
He said the protection of Pakistan’s water resources was a matter of national security, urging India to refrain from “sowing the seeds of conflict” in the region.
The deputy prime minister said peace in South Asia could only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy, reiterating that Pakistan has always pursued a policy of peace and negotiations.
“Lasting peace is only possible through mutual respect and adherence to agreements,” he said, adding that Pakistan rejects any illegal attempt to seize its water rights.
Dar said Pakistan would continue to defend its water rights through legal and diplomatic channels, stressing that any attempt to stop or divert Pakistan’s share of water would be considered equivalent to an act of aggression.
He noted that South Asia is already facing multiple challenges and said the Indus Waters Treaty was the result of long negotiations aimed at ensuring fair use of water resources.
Dar said Pakistan remains committed to peace, stability, and good neighbourly relations, and has always played a constructive role in regional affairs.
He added that Pakistan’s foreign policy is based on mutual respect, and the country will continue efforts to promote peace and cooperation in the region while safeguarding its legal and treaty rights.