Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned India’s sudden and unannounced release of water into shared rivers as an act of water aggression, warning that violations of the Indus Waters Treaty pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability. Speaking at a weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andarabi expressed grave concern over India’s failure to provide prior notification before releasing water, calling it a clear breach of the landmark water-sharing agreement between the two countries.  

The FO spokesperson urged the international community to take serious notice of repeated violations of the treaty, including the recent sudden discharge of water into the Chenab River. Andarabi said that an unusual fluctuation in the Chenab River’s water level was recorded on December 7, raising alarm in Pakistan over the potential risks associated with unannounced water releases.  

The spokesperson stressed that unilateral actions concerning shared rivers were unacceptable under the treaty framework and warned that such actions could undermine peace and stability in the region. The spokesperson also raised concerns over the treatment of religious minorities in India, stating that minority communities continued to face discriminatory practices.  He called on the Indian government to fulfil its constitutional and international obligations by ensuring the protection of minority religious rights. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)