File image of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Pakistan’s former International Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday (June 23, 2025) mentioned his nation will go to battle if India denies Islamabad its justifiable share of water underneath the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
India put in abeyance the 1960 settlement quickly after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist assault that killed 26 folks. Dwelling Minister Amit Shah final week introduced to by no means restore the historic accord.
Mr. Bhutto’s feedback got here two days after Pakistan’s International Ministry criticised Mr. Shah’s “brazen disregard” for worldwide agreements.
Additionally Learn | Pakistan violated spirit of Indus Waters Treaty by inflicting three wars, thousands of terror attacks: India tells U.N.
Mr. Bhutto, in a speech in parliament, rejected the Indian choice to droop the settlement and threatened to get Pakistan’s share of water.
“India has two choices: share water pretty, or we are going to ship water to us from all six rivers,” he mentioned referring to the six rivers of the Indus basin.
He mentioned that the IWT was nonetheless in vogue because the settlement can’t be held in abeyance.
Additionally Learn | No talks till Pakistan renounces terror, vacates PoK: India
“The assault on Sindhu (Indus River) and India’s declare that the IWT has ended and it’s in abeyance. Firstly, that is unlawful, because the IWT is just not in abeyance, it’s binding on Pakistan and India, however the menace itself of stopping water is illegitimate in keeping with the U.N. constitution,” he mentioned.
Mr. Bhutto, who’s head of the Pakistan Peoples Celebration (PPP), additionally threatened that if India decides to comply with by on the menace, “we must wage battle once more”.
The previous International Minister additionally highlighted the significance of talks and cooperation, particularly in counterterrorism efforts.
Additionally Learn | Pahalgam terror attack: India to explore ‘never considered’ options on Indus Waters Treaty
“If India and Pakistan refuse to speak, and if there isn’t a coordination on terrorism, then violence will solely intensify in each nations,” he mentioned. Mr. Bhutto additionally accused India of “weaponising terrorism for political functions”.
He claimed that in his diplomatic visits to the U.K. and European nations as International Minister, it was evident that India had lobbied onerous to reverse Pakistan’s progress on the Monetary Motion Job Pressure (FATF) entrance.
“At a time when Pakistan had efficiently moved from the FATF gray listing to the white listing, India made each effort to tug us again to the gray listing utilizing false narratives and diplomatic stress,” he claimed.
Additionally Learn | Indus Waters Treaty to be kept in abeyance as Pakistan resorted to cross-border terror: source
Mr. Bilawal additionally mentioned that Pakistan succeeded in elevating the problem of Kashmir on the world stage and President Donald Trump had spoken in favour of mediation on Kashmir.
Other than fast steps equivalent to putting the IWT in abeyance and stopping all commerce with Pakistan, India launched Operation Sindoor on Might 7, concentrating on terrorist infrastructure in territories managed by Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The strikes triggered 4 days of intense clashes that ended with an understanding on stopping the navy actions on Might 10.
Revealed – June 23, 2025 06:33 pm IST
