Pakistan’s prime minister says any attempt by India to block water flowing to Pakistan would be treated as an act of war, amid continuing tensions over shared river resources.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — October 21, 2026: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned that any attempt by India to stop Pakistan’s share of river waters would be considered an act of war, reiterating Islamabad’s position on water security amid continuing tensions over the Indus Waters Treaty.

Sharif made the remarks during a joint press conference with Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is visiting Pakistan for high-level talks and bilateral engagements, according to Express News.

“Water is Pakistan’s red line,” the prime minister said, warning that Pakistan would not allow water to be used as a weapon against the country.

Pakistan Reiterates Position on Indus Waters

The latest statement reflects Pakistan’s continued opposition to India’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, a move announced by New Delhi in April 2025 following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The treaty, signed in 1960 with the World Bank’s involvement, governs the sharing of waters from the Indus River system between the two countries. The dispute has become a significant point of tension in already strained bilateral relations.

Sharif had issued a similar warning during his address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in September, saying that any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of the waters would be treated as an act of war.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in August 2026 that India remained bound by the treaty for matters within the court’s jurisdiction. India has rejected the court’s authority in the dispute, underscoring the continuing disagreement over the treaty and its legal implications.

Remarks Made During Maldives President’s Visit

The prime minister’s warning came as Pakistan and the Maldives discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation during President Muizzu’s official visit to Islamabad.

According to the Express report, the two sides held delegation-level talks and witnessed the exchange of 20 memorandums of understanding covering areas including health, education, technical training, tourism, aviation, agriculture, fisheries, defence, maritime security, law enforcement, social protection and cultural cooperation.

The two countries also discussed trade, investment, food security, medicine supplies and private-sector partnerships. They set a target of increasing bilateral trade from approximately $13.4 million to $200 million over the next two years, according to the report.

During the discussions, Sharif also reiterated Pakistan’s position on regional and international issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the Indus Waters Treaty.

Water Security Remains a Regional Concern

Pakistan relies heavily on the Indus River system for irrigation, agriculture and other water needs. Any significant disruption to river flows could have implications for food production, livelihoods and water management.

The dispute remains sensitive because the two countries hold different positions on the treaty’s status and the legal consequences of India’s decision to suspend its implementation. Pakistan has pursued diplomatic and legal avenues to challenge the move, while India has disputed aspects of the proceedings and their authority.

Sharif’s latest remarks reinforce Islamabad’s stated position that Pakistan’s share of the waters must be protected. The statement is a warning about how Pakistan says it would respond to a potential water cutoff; it does not establish that such a cutoff has occurred.