ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has said that Pakistan will continue to pursue all possible legal and diplomatic avenues to protect its water rights and the legal and contractual rights acquired under the Indus Waters Treaty. He stressed that rivers and their waters are not just natural resources for Pakistan but also a fundamental part of national interest and national security.
Addressing an international seminar, Ishaq Dar said that the Indus Waters Treaty has proven to be an effective framework for the equitable use of water resources in the region for decades, therefore, any attempt by any party to weaken or affect its spirit can have serious consequences not only for the two countries but also for the entire region.
He said that adherence to international treaties is the foundation of the international system. If such treaties are suspended or made ineffective unilaterally, it undermines trust between states and also affects the credibility of international law.
The Deputy Prime Minister clarified that Pakistan has always pursued its position in accordance with international laws and diplomatic principles and will continue to follow the same path in the future. According to him, Pakistan seeks peace, stability and mutual cooperation in the region, but will not compromise on its core national interests.
Ishaq Dar said that water is a basic need of more than 250 million citizens of Pakistan and the country’s agricultural production, food security, energy projects and economic activities largely depend on the continuous flow of the western rivers. He said that this is why Pakistan considers the issue of water resources as a very sensitive national issue.
He urged India to avoid such steps that could increase tensions in the region. According to him, lasting peace in South Asia is possible not through the use of force or threats, but only through dialogue, mutual respect and adherence to international agreements.
The Deputy Prime Minister said that all disputes should be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and contractual mechanisms. He said that Pakistan has always believed in these principles and will continue to play its role in the future as well.
Ishaq Dar further said that after India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, an important meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee was held, in which the civil and military leadership took a unanimous position that if any attempt is made to harm Pakistan’s water rights or divert water, it will be considered a very serious matter in the context of national security.
He reiterated the resolve that Pakistan will continue to take effective measures at all levels to protect its national interests and water rights and at the same time maintain its positive efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
