Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar raised concern that India’s “illegal and unilateral” move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) poses a major threat to peace in the region. His statement came while addressing the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Roundtable in Brussels.
India announced in April that it had halted the Indus Water Treaty after the terrorist attack in Pahlgam, occupied Kashmir. In the incident, 26 individuals lost their lives. However, Pakistan condemned the attack on Indian citizens in occupied Kashmir, confirming that Islamabad had nothing to do with the incident.
In response to India’s statement to suspend IWT, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister declared this type of move as an “act of war.”
Ishaq Dar said while addressing in Brussels that water should be the source of cooperation, but India is using it as a weapon to do politics.
He stressed that a long-term peace in South Asia is impossible without an amicable solution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He also added that the solution to the issue should be based on the United Nations Security Council resolutions and the demands of the Kashmiri people.
Deputy Prime Minister, Ishaq Dar, stated that the situation in Afghanistan “remains consequential for Pakistan and for regional stability”. Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan is tense over Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), with Islamabad urging Afghan authorities to take action to stop cross-border terrorism.
“The ongoing atrocities in Gaza, violations of the peace accord, and the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands must end,” Ishaq Dar said.
“We hope for an early, peaceful resolution. The cooperative model adopted by the European Union offers valuable lessons, demonstrating that inclusivity and interdependence are the strongest foundations of peace and prosperity,” he concluded.
