Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday confirmed Pakistan’s obligation to secure his wandering rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Shehbaz, who spoke on a tribe of Jirga in Peshawar, promised to fight India’s water -related threats by increasing the country’s water storage capacity focusing on collaboration in Pakistan’s provinces.
Sharif repeated Pakistan’s right to any drop of water in accordance with the Indus water Treaty and announced plans to store water in key projects such as Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu Dams.
He also called for consultations between the provinces to devise a comprehensive strategy to mitigate India’s threats to Pakistan’s water safety.
Tensions between India and Pakistan rose in the wake of the April 22 attack in Pahagam, Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), who left 26 people died. India accused Pakistan of the assault without providing evidence. Islamabad condemned the attack, refused New Delhi’s claims and called for an independent probe.
India escalated the tension by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and closing the Wagah-Attari border. By retaliation, Pakistan suggested suspending the Simla Agreement of 1972.
The confrontation of them escalated on May 6 – 7 when India launched his attack against Pakistan, who spiraled into the largest military clash between the neighbors for decades. Dozens were killed before the diplomacy was prevalent and a US-broken ceasefire was announced.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa as an important province that has historically supported Pakistan and promised to tackle the concerns of its tribal leaders.
He assured that any questions facing the province to the province would be discussed and resolved in collaboration with the provincial government, local leaders and military officials.
Sharif praised the victims of the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, especially in the 1947 referendum and highlighted the province’s continued support in times of national crisis, including the war with India.
He also referred to people’s collective prayers in the conflicts in 1965 and 1971, which he said had played a key role in Pakistan’s victory.
The prime minister reiterated that Pakistan would continue to strengthen his defense and financial attitude and noted that the country’s response to India’s provocations, especially with regard to the Indus Waters Treaty, would now be more strategic and cooperative.
In the light of escalating tensions, Sharif called for urgent measures to improve the country’s water infrastructure and ensure that Pakistan’s provinces’ rights are protected.
