Deputy PM Ishaq Dar told the ASEAN Regional Forum that India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is concerning and provocative.
Manila, Philippines – Web Desk: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is a concerning and provocative move, raising the issue once again at an international platform on Friday.
Addressing the ASEAN Regional Forum in Manila, Dar said that resolving the dispute over India-held Jammu and Kashmir remains the foundation for achieving durable peace in South Asia. He said any unilateral steps related to the Indus Waters Treaty could directly affect the interests of Pakistan’s roughly 250 million citizens.
The deputy prime minister described India’s suspension of the treaty as troubling and provocative, warning that such actions carry serious consequences for a population that depends heavily on the river system for its water needs.
Dar also referenced the Islamabad reconciliation process, saying it had created an important opportunity for peace in the region. He urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve outstanding issues through diplomatic channels rather than unilateral measures. He further stated that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorist activities directed against Pakistan.
The remarks come amid continuing tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi over water-sharing arrangements under the decades-old treaty, an issue that has repeatedly featured in Pakistan’s recent statements at international forums, including previous remarks by President Asif Ali Zardari and other senior officials calling for India to restore the treaty’s implementation.
