Water Dispute
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, has issued a stern warning that the fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and India could be in jeopardy if the ongoing water dispute, stemming from India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, is not resolved.
In a recent interview with CNN, Ishaq Dar emphasized that while Pakistan had no intention of resorting to nuclear weapons, the country’s retaliatory strikes on May 7 were purely in self-defense, following unprovoked Indian cross-border attacks.
Dar described India’s military operation against Pakistan as part of a broader strategy to assert its dominance over the disputed Kashmir region. He stressed, however, that the use of nuclear weapons was never considered, underscoring Pakistan’s confidence in its conventional military strength to defend itself both in the air and on the ground.
Despite the ceasefire currently holding, Dar cautioned that comprehensive negotiations between India and Pakistan had yet to occur, and a lasting peace agreement had not been reached. He expressed hope that “sense will prevail” on both sides to avoid further escalation.
Dar revealed that while India’s Director General of Military Operations had earlier suggested direct communication between the two countries to de-escalate the situation, he clarified that there had been no such contact. Instead, it was U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio who conveyed India’s willingness to cease hostilities.
Regarding the long-term prospects for peace, Dar emphasized Pakistan’s desire to pave the way for stability and security in the region, ensuring dignity for both nations. He reiterated that the Kashmir dispute remains the root cause of regional instability and called for the self-determination of its people.
Ishaq Dar also used the opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan’s stance on terrorism, condemning it in all forms and denying any involvement in the recent Pahalgam attack. He acknowledged the U.S. support for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts and praised President Donald Trump’s advocacy for a solution to the Kashmir conflict.
A significant portion of the interview focused on the Indus Waters Treaty. Dar warned that India’s suspension of the treaty, which governs the sharing of river waters between the two countries, could lead to further escalation.
He stressed that Pakistan’s position was clear: India must reverse its decision. If this issue remains unresolved, Dar warned, it would “amount to an act of war,” potentially threatening the already fragile ceasefire and increasing the risk of conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
