Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that lasting peace between Pakistan and India is not possible without the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty. He emphasized that while Pakistan does not seek conflict, it will protect its national interests and water rights under all circumstances.
Addressing a seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty in Islamabad, Bilawal said water is not merely a geographical issue but a matter of food security, economic stability, and human survival. He added that recent global events have demonstrated how disruptions to strategic waterways can affect the international economy.
He described the Indus River as a lifeline for Pakistan, saying its waters are essential for agriculture, livelihoods, and the country’s future. According to Bilawal, using waterways or shared water resources as political or strategic tools poses a serious threat to regional and global peace.
Bilawal Bhutto said the international community must recognize the growing risks associated with the weaponization of water resources. He called for the development of stronger international legal frameworks to prevent shared rivers and waterways from being used as instruments of political pressure or conflict.
The PPP chairman also stated that Pakistan would not compromise on its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty. He alleged that India’s actions are intended to undermine Pakistan’s water rights and argued that deliberately disrupting a country’s water supply should be treated as a grave international concern. These remarks reflected his position during the seminar.
He further said that Pakistan would continue to defend its interests through political, diplomatic, and legal channels. Bilawal added that the country’s defense capabilities exist to deter threats to its sovereignty and essential national interests, while emphasizing that Pakistan’s objective remains peace rather than confrontation.
