ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan on Thursday warned that any deliberate attempt to block water essential to Pakistan’s survival and development would have “far-reaching consequences”.
“Any such act would be dealt with utmost seriousness and could possibly amount to an act of war under Article 51 of the UN Charter,” said FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during a weekly media briefing while responding to a question about recent remarks by Indian water minister.
A day ago, Indian Minister of Water CR Patil told India’s ANI news agency that “not a single drop of water will go [to Pakistan] in the coming years”.
He further said that India was “actively working on it” after “directives” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Taking note of the remarks, the Foreign Office spokesman said that “any attempt to block or substantially curtail water that is vital to the livelihood, agriculture and well-being of over 25o million Pakistanis would be a deeply irresponsible act”.
Referring to Indian intent, he said it would violate established international obligations “concerning transboundary rivers and indeed India’s own bilateral agreement with Pakistan”.
“Water can’t be treated as a political tool”
“Pakistan firmly rejects any notion that water can be treated as a political tool or instrument of coercion or a weapon,” he said, emphasising that such a move would also be a threat to the regional peace and security in South Asia and beyond.
He said that the responsibility of such a threat “to international peace and security would fall squarely on India’s shoulders”.
Andrabi added that Pakistan’s rights and interests regarding its water resources were non-negotiable and added the country would “vigorously” defend those rights, utilising all available diplomatic, political, legal, economic and other measures consistent with international law and the UN Charter.
