Bilawal Calls Water a Matter of National Survival
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has declared that Pakistan will defend its water rights at any cost.
He made the statement while addressing a seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty at the Convention Centre in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Bilawal said water is life and should never be used as a weapon. He said the Indus River is not just a river for Pakistan. It is a source of survival, food, livelihood, and national stability for millions of people.
He said Pakistan cannot allow any attempt to divert or threaten its water resources. According to him, the Indus belongs to Pakistan under international commitments, and the river’s flow cannot be treated as a political tool.
Bilawal said Pakistan has faced serious challenges before. He said the country survived the war against terrorism and will also survive the current water crisis.
India Urged to Honour Indus Waters Treaty
The PPP chairman urged India to restore and respect the Indus Waters Treaty according to global commitments.
He said Pakistan has followed international law regarding the treaty. However, he claimed India has not responded responsibly.
Bilawal called on the international community to pay attention to what he described as India’s water aggression against Pakistan.
He said weaponising water could create serious regional instability. He warned that water disputes should not be used to pressure any country.
The Indus Waters Treaty has long been considered an important agreement between Pakistan and India. Bilawal said India must honour the accord and avoid actions that could damage peace in the region.
Pakistan Must Improve Water Conservation
Bilawal also said Pakistan must improve its own water conservation system.
He stressed that the country needs to work on water conservation on a war footing. He said protecting water rights is important, but managing water responsibly inside Pakistan is equally necessary.
The PPP chairman said Pakistan must strengthen storage, reduce waste, and improve long-term planning to deal with future water challenges.
He also referred to Pakistan’s recent diplomatic role in the Middle East. He said Pakistan successfully acted as a negotiator during tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Bilawal said the world had appreciated Pakistan’s peace efforts. He added that the same global focus should now be directed toward India’s actions on water.
He said Pakistan will continue to defend its rights through law, diplomacy, and national unity.
