Pakistan, on Thursday, warned India against diverting its share of the water, as agreed upon in the landmark Indus Water Treaty, cautioning that any attempt to stop water will be regarded as an act of aggression, and Pakistan reserves its right to respond.
The statement made by the Official Spokesperson of the Foreign Office came in response to the recent threats made by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, wherein he stated that India will divert the share of water flowing to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Water Rights
Addressing the weekly press briefing at the Foreign Office, Dr. Mohammad Faisal clarified that as per the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, brokered by the World Bank, Pakistan has exclusive rights on the water flowing from the three western rivers.
As per the Indus Water Treaty signed in 1960, Islamabad enjoys unrestricted access to the western rivers of Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, while New Delhi enjoys unrestricted access to the eastern rivers of Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej.
FO spokesperson reacts strongly to Indian PM's recent statement, threatening to stop flow of water to Pakistanhttps://t.co/LDblPQ8A2v
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 17, 2019
Responding to a question on the Indian Prime Minister’s statement, Dr. Faisal said, “After imposing a crushing curfew and disconnecting the Kashmir Valley for more than 2 months now, such statements coming from the Indian leadership are another glaring example of the fact that the present Government of India is bent upon making India an irresponsible aggressor state that has no regard for Human Rights or international obligations.”
The Foreign Office Spokesperson added, “Such statements should be an eye-opener for the world which must realize that the extremist government of Mr. Modi, under the false illusion of grandeur, is a clear threat to South Asia, as well as the world peace.”
Read more: Modi Attempts to Woo Voters with Threats to Stop Water Flowing to Pakistan
Dr. Faisal stressed that Islamabad remains vigilant about its rights and the privileges provided by the Indus Water Treaty. He said, “Let me assure you that Pakistan is vigilant about its rights safeguarded in the IWT. If India initiates anything contrary to Pakistan’s rights, we will exercise the appropriate options available in the Treaty.”
India’s State Terrorism
Dr. Faisal informed that the Indian occupation forces, in their “continued acts of state terrorism” have martyred three more innocent Kashmiris, Mr. Nasir, Mr. Javed Farooq and Aqib Ahmed in the Pazalpora area of Bijbehara town.
Dr. Faisal observed, “The humanitarian nightmare in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) is worsening with continued military lockdown and complete communications blackout for 75th consecutive day (since the lockdown was imposed on 4th August 2019), which risks lives of the innocent Kashmiris.”
"ye Modi paani rokega" says Narendra Modi while campaigning in Haryana, says water of rivers over which the rights are of Indian states was going to Pakistan and was not being stopped by earlier Indian govts. "Modi aapki ladai ladega" he promises at the rally Charkhi Dadri pic.twitter.com/VmbvEDVbDM
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) October 15, 2019
“Over 8 million people in the IOJ&K remain cut-off from the world, with concerns raised about lack of medical supplies and other basic needs. These inhuman and unilateral actions by India are continuing in spite of international condemnation.”
The MoFA Spokesperson noted that an isolated India is falsely attempting to claim normalcy in the valley, while grave human rights violations continue. Dr. Faisal said, “In a state of panic and in the face of rising international criticism, an isolated India is falsely trying claim normalcy while continuing with gross human right violations and increasing military aggression.”
Read more: Pakistan appeals to World Bank over Indian violation of Indus Water Treaty
Reiterating Pakistan’s stance, he said, “We condemn the unprecedented communication blockade and clampdown in IOJ&K and impress upon the international community to take cognizance of the continuing blatant human rights violations by the Indian Occupation Forces.”
Dr. Faisal, who is also the Director-General SA and SAARC, revealed that he had summoned the Indian Charge D’Affaires on October 11 and 16, to condemn the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC).
Watch l Will not allow India’s water to flow to Pakistan: PM Modi in Haryana | assembly-elections | videos | Hindustan Times @UN Modi is clearly calling for War and testing your patience.- this warrants an emergency meeting of the Security Council https://t.co/U0FsRuOV2r
— Lord Nazir Ahmed (@nazir_lord) October 17, 2019
Shedding light on India’s deliberate targeting of civilians, he said, “These violations were perpetrated in the Sharda, Nezapir, Satwal and Bagsar sectors, which resulted in multiple shahadats and injuries. The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights, and humanitarian laws.”
Dr. Faisal cautioned, “The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.”