Pakistan will host an international seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty in Islamabad tomorrow, with water experts from around the world set to participate.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said water is Pakistan’s lifeline and red line, stressing that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be suspended unilaterally.
Atta Tarar said the seminar will be the first international event of its kind on the Indus Waters Treaty in Pakistan. He said water experts from across the world will participate, adding that Pakistan’s position on the treaty has been accepted internationally.
IWT can't be suspended unilaterally
The information minister said the Indus Waters Treaty was formally recognized by both Pakistan and India. He said the prime minister and the Field Marshal have repeatedly stated that water is a matter of Pakistan’s survival.
Tarar said Pakistan’s stance on the Indus Waters Treaty has been acknowledged by the world, making it clear that the treaty cannot be suspended by one side alone.
Musaddiq accuses Modi of ‘water terrorism’
Federal Minister for Climate Change Musaddiq Malik said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to commit “water terrorism” against Pakistan.
He said Pakistan has faced devastating floods in the past and that the Indus Waters Treaty issue has been raised internationally over the last one to two months.
Malik said 20% to 25% of Pakistan’s economy is linked to agriculture, while a large section of the population depends on agriculture for livelihood — and agriculture depends on water.
No compromise on water share
Musaddiq Malik said Pakistan has made it clear that it will not compromise on its share of water. He said Pakistan’s armed forces have already stated that if anyone tries to take Pakistan’s water, “we will break their hand even in the air.”
“Whoever touches our water will have his hand cut off,” Malik said.
He added that Pakistani forces have proven they can defend not only water but also the country’s airspace.
The climate change minister said water continues to flow across the world even in countries that do not have formal agreements.
“We have a treaty. Water is flowing even in countries that do not have one,” he said. “Can water, air and fragrance ever be stopped in the world?”
Pakistan to present its case before the world
Musaddiq Malik said the conference being held tomorrow is about justice and rights. He said Pakistan will present its case before the world and no one will be allowed to impose injustice on the country.
“The Indus Waters Treaty has become an international case, and no one has an answer,” he said.
He added that India has neither been able to stop Pakistan’s water so far nor will it be able to do so in the future.
Malik said India did not have the capacity to stop water and had to abandon its attempt after a day or two. He also said there is a proper method of generating electricity from abundant water, adding that water cannot be stopped blindly.
“No one is going to make us bow down in the face of injustice,” he said.
