Pakistan’s Sharif warns any diversion of Indus waters will be ‘treated as an act of war’

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told the UN General Assembly that any attempt by India to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of the Indus River waters would be treated as an act of war. He described the shared waters of the Indus River system as the lifeblood for Pakistan and the entire region, emphasizing that India’s unilateral decision to hold the existing treaty in abeyance lacked legal basis. Sharif stated that India’s claims had been rejected by UN experts and the Court of Arbitration, asserting that water must never be weaponized.

Sharif also addressed regional conflicts, noting Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between Washington and Tehran in Islamabad during February tensions. He emphasized the need for diplomacy amid recent hostilities, stating that the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb must remain open. He condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including an attempted drone strike on Mecca.

The Prime Minister highlighted Pakistan’s invocation of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter during a crisis with India a year prior, crediting US intervention with averting all-out war. He stressed that ensuring South Asia never again reaches such a precipice requires a just solution to the Kashmir dispute, citing decades of unresolved plebiscite demands and alleged human rights abuses.

Sharif condemned Islamophobia, linking it to Hindutva ideology and citing incidents of lynching, communal violence, and restrictions on religious freedom. He also criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, referencing the killing of an eight-year-old girl in Gaza and alleged forcible evictions in the West Bank. He called for action against terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue and peace.