'Any attempt to divert water..': Pakistan rejects India's Indus treaty move, warns against act of war

Regional tensions rose several fold following India's move to put on hold the Indus Waters Treaty after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 16 individuals. Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has responded vehemently to this and threatened that any infrastructure developed by India to divert Pakistan's water share will be destroyed. The conflict once again brings into focus the water-related conflict between the two nations.

Delhi to divert its share of water under the Indus Water Treaty

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has warned India that Pakistan will destroy any structure built by New Delhi to divert its share of water under the Indus Water Treaty. The statement came hours after India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) hours after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

Indus Water Treaty canceled

India put on hold the Indus Laws Treaty due to security issues following the horrific terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. India and Pakistan signed the treaty in 1960, which serves as the foundation of water distribution between the two nations. Pakistan receives the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab river waters under this treaty, which is extremely significant for its life and agriculture.

Pakistan's response

Pakistan has responded with great concern to India's action, terming it against international laws. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan will level any infrastructure constructed by India to redirect Pakistan's portion of water under the Indus Water Treaty. He termed it an act of aggression against Pakistan and stated that Pakistan is prepared to defend its sovereignty at all costs. 

Accusations on India

Asif also claimed that India had taken the Pahalgam attack as a pretext to withdraw from the Indus Waters Treaty. It is a "false flag" operation, he said, calling the attack a deliberate one in order to provide an excuse to India to withdraw from the treaty. He further stated that Pakistan rejects any form of involvement in this attack and calls for an unbiased international inquiry.

Appeal to the international community

Pakistan has called on the world community to take cognizance of India's action and step in to ensure peace and stability between the two nations. It also stated it will do everything necessary to safeguard its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.