Pakistan Rattled by Indus Treaty Suspension, PM Sharif Warns: 'This is Equivalent to War'

International News: Tensions flared once again between India and Pakistan after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif accused India of weaponizing water and described the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty as an act of war. His remarks came during his address at the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Sharif claimed that India’s actions are putting millions of Pakistani lives at risk, warning the international community of growing regional instability.

India Suspended Treaty After Pehalgam Terror Attack

India had announced the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, in which 26 civilians—most of them tourists—lost their lives. The move was widely interpreted as a strategic response to repeated cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan.

Sharif’s Aggressive Rhetoric: "India’s Move Is a War-Like Action"

Speaking at the ECO summit, Sharif launched a blistering attack on New Delhi: 

“India’s action is a gross violation of the treaty. The Indus River is the lifeline of 240 million Pakistanis. Blocking this flow is akin to waging war against our people. Pakistan will not tolerate such aggression.”

He further claimed that several districts in Pakistan were now facing severe water shortages, with reports of deaths due to lack of clean drinking water.

Military Tensions Resurface in Sharif’s Speech

Sharif also alluded to the recent military tensions between India and Pakistan, accusing New Delhi of deliberately undermining regional stability. Describing the Pahalgam attack as “unfortunate,” he controversially suggested that India was using the incident as a pretext for aggression.

Pakistan Seeks Support from Turkey and Azerbaijan

On the sidelines of the summit, Sharif held separate bilateral meetings with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which he is believed to have sought their diplomatic backing against India. He also thanked Azerbaijan for its past support to Pakistan during similar conflicts.

Analysis: A Strategic Shift or Diplomatic Bluff?

Foreign policy experts believe India’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty is not just symbolic but a tactical signal. It marks a firm shift in India’s policy towards Pakistan, especially in light of unrelenting terror attacks and stalemated peace talks.

For Pakistan, the suspension represents a diplomatic and strategic setback, possibly weakening its international water diplomacy leverage—especially on the Kashmir front.

What’s Next: A New Flashpoint or Isolated Rhetoric?

Sharif’s aggressive statements underscore Pakistan’s growing frustration, but observers say the global community may not rally behind Islamabad, especially given its dubious record on terrorism.

As water politics now collide with national security concerns, one question remains:

Will the Indus dispute escalate into a new front in the India-Pakistan conflict—or will Pakistan face growing isolation on the world stage once again?