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Iqbal stated Pakistan’s ongoing development of dams may present a buffer in opposition to potential disruptions, whereas stressing the necessity for diplomatic efforts.
Talking at an Asia Society occasion, Iqbal stated India had unilaterally positioned the treaty in abeyance regardless of it being a global settlement.
Pakistan Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has stated India’s determination to maintain the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance has introduced Islamabad with a contemporary problem, warning that New Delhi may doubtlessly use water as leverage by proscribing provides throughout crop seasons and releasing them when demand is decrease.
Talking at an Asia Society occasion, Iqbal stated India had unilaterally positioned the treaty in abeyance regardless of it being a global settlement.
“It’s untouchable as a result of it’s a global settlement and this time across the Indian authorities has unilaterally held it in abeyance and that form of creates a brand new problem that first time most likely water has been weaponized in trendy historical past and we now face this risk that they’ll use water as a weapon to disclaim Pakistan water when it wants for its crops and launch it once we don’t want it,” he stated.
Iqbal stated Pakistan’s ongoing development of dams may present a buffer in opposition to potential disruptions, whereas stressing the necessity for diplomatic efforts.
“So these dams that we’re setting up would even be our buffer, however I feel on the identical time we can’t let this go unnoticed. We’re utilizing all of the diplomatic,” he added.
Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif On India And IWT
Iqbal’s feedback come as tensions between India and Pakistan proceed over the Indus Waters Treaty, with Islamabad repeatedly voicing considerations over New Delhi’s determination to droop the pact.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had additionally addressed the problem forward of the nation’s Independence Day, warning India in opposition to any transfer that would threaten Pakistan’s water provides.
Sharif stated Pakistan wished peace somewhat than battle, however cautioned that its choice for peace shouldn’t be interpreted as weak point.
“Each drop of water is our purple line,” Sharif stated, as quoted by the Related Press.
He warned that Pakistan would reply if its entry to water was threatened, whereas including that any problem to the nation’s sovereignty would invite a powerful response.
Sharif’s remarks adopted the four-day navy battle between the 2 nuclear-armed neighbours in Could 2025. The confrontation got here after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror assault in Jammu and Kashmir, by which 26 folks have been killed.
India’s place on Indus Waters Treaty
India positioned the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance following the Pahalgam terror assault. The Cupboard Committee on Safety met on April 23, a day after the assault, after which New Delhi introduced its determination.
India stated the circumstances and circumstances beneath which the treaty had been negotiated had essentially modified.
New Delhi has maintained that the settlement can’t function in its present kind and can stay in abeyance till Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ends its assist for cross-border terrorism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has additionally defended the transfer, saying “water and blood can’t stream collectively”.
The federal government has described the choice as a part of the measures taken in response to the Pahalgam assault.
India and Pakistan subsequently exchanged missile, drone and different strikes in Could 2025, earlier than a ceasefire ended the four-day navy confrontation.
New Delhi has continued to take care of its place on the treaty.
“India’s place on the Indus Water Treaty is constant. The IWT stands in abeyance in response to Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism. Pakistan should credibly and irrevocably abjure its assist for cross-border terrorism,” Exterior Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had stated.
His remarks got here after a Pakistani minister warned India over the treaty, saying Islamabad would “reduce off these fingers” that he alleged have been in search of to regulate the Indus water.
Key Questions Answered
Ask News18The abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty has intensified Pakistan’s water safety considerations, with its monetary capital Karachi experiencing extreme water shortages and provide disruptions. Pakistan fears India might weaponise water, and officers are involved that India’s suspension of the treaty may alter long-standing water-sharing dynamics and escalate regional tensions. India, in the meantime, is accelerating hydropower tasks on the Chenab River to extend its utilisation of waters ruled by the treaty.
Ask News18Concerning the Writer
Aanchal is the Sub-Editor at News18.com, with greater than 4 years of expertise in nationwide and worldwide information. My work entails protecting breaking information, politics, present affairs and developments…Learn Extra
August 23, 2026, 09:37 IST
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