Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said Pakistan would not compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty, accusing India of attempting to use water as a political tool.
Addressing the party's main oath-taking ceremony in Gilgit-Baltistan, he also outlined the PPP government's priorities for the region and reaffirmed support for national unity.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said India was attempting to use the Indus Waters Treaty as a weapon against Pakistan.
"We will not compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty. If we have to fight for it, we will fight," he said.
He also accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of pursuing conspiracies against Pakistan, including in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, without providing evidence for the claims.
Pays tribute to Gilgit-Baltistan's people
Bilawal praised the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for what he described as their patriotism and sacrifices.
He said the region's residents still remembered the contributions of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and credited him with ending personal rule in the area. He also said former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had launched her political journey in Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to Bilawal, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan secured independence from Dogra rule before seeking to join Pakistan.
Promises land, jobs and representation
The PPP chairman said his party's mandate was based on three core principles: the right to self-governance, property rights and employment opportunities.
He pledged that the government would work to make the people of Gilgit-Baltistan owners of their land, distribute cultivable land where applicable and ensure jobs are provided on merit.
Bilawal also said local government elections would be held before the onset of winter and expressed hope that Gilgit-Baltistan would one day have elected representation in Pakistan's National Assembly.
Bilawal thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the PML-N and other political parties, including the IPP, for recognising the PPP's mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He also thanked representatives of the MWM and PTI, saying his party wanted to work with all political stakeholders to address the region's challenges.
"Politics has become another name for hostility in Pakistan. We want to set a new political example in Gilgit-Baltistan by working together," he said.
Comments on national security
Bilawal praised the Pakistan Army, saying it had defended the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
He also claimed that India was attempting to destabilise Pakistan and said all Pakistanis were united on issues related to national rights.
Separately, Bilawal paid tribute to the people of Iran, saying he saluted them for what he described as defeating Israel on the military front.
