ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) has issued a stark warning, declaring that any attempt by India to divert water that rightfully belongs to Pakistan will be regarded as an act of war.
The warning was part of a strongly worded statement released after a high-level NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday. The NSC, Pakistan’s top civil-military decision-making body, unequivocally rejected India’s unilateral move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling the pact a cornerstone of regional stability.
“Water is a vital national interest and the lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis,” the communiqué stated. “Pakistan will defend its water rights at all costs. Any action to block or redirect the flow of Pakistan’s rightful water share will be treated as a declaration of war.”
The NSC also condemned what it called India’s “reckless and irresponsible” conduct, accusing New Delhi of routinely flouting international laws, United Nations Security Council resolutions, and bilateral agreements.
This firm stance follows a series of escalatory measures by India, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and a ban on Pakistani nationals entering the country. These moves came in the wake of a deadly attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 tourists were killed.
In response, Pakistan has limited the Indian High Commission’s diplomatic staff in Islamabad to 30 members, effective April 30, and has also closed its airspace to all Indian-owned or operated aircraft with immediate effect.
Earlier, Pakistani leadership decided to shut down the Wahga border crossing in response to the Indian government’s measures after the Pahalgam attack.
The National Security Committee also rejected Indian government’s decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty.
In its meeting held on Thursday afternoon, the National Security Committee, led by PM Shehbaz Sharif noted that India could not suspend the water treaty unilaterally.
The participants of the committee decided to challenge this Indian decision in the international court.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level National Security Committee (NSC) meeting at this time to assess the evolving situation following India’s recent steps in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Top military officials, federal ministers and other members of the National Security Council attended the crucial meeting.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that the NSC was preparing a comprehensive response to India’s measures.
Sources indicate that the meeting, attended by top civilian and military leadership, focused on evaluating the internal and external security environment while closely examining New Delhi’s swift and controversial decisions.
