Former Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made it clear on Monday that Pakistan won’t back down if India refuses to honour its water-sharing commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
Speaking in the National Assembly during the budget session, Bilawal didn’t mince words: “India has two choices — either share water fairly, or we’ll get our water from all six rivers, one way or another.”
His remarks come after India abruptly pulled out of the decades-old treaty in April, soon after blaming Pakistan for a deadly attack in occupied Kashmir — an accusation Islamabad firmly denies. Despite a fresh ceasefire agreement last month, tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours remain high.
Bilawal reminded lawmakers that the treaty, signed in 1960, is binding under international law and can’t simply be scrapped on a whim. “Blocking water is illegal according to the UN charter,” he stressed.
He warned that if India tries to choke Pakistan’s water supply, it could push the region back to conflict. “We don’t want war — but if forced, we are capable of defending ourselves, as we just proved.”
Highlighting India’s broader strategy, Bilawal accused New Delhi of exploiting terrorism to damage Pakistan’s reputation globally. He pointed out how India lobbied to put Pakistan back on the FATF grey list, despite Islamabad’s progress in countering terror financing.
“Peace is impossible without cooperation,” he said. “If India and Pakistan stop talking and coordinating on security, the violence will only get worse — on both sides.”
Bilawal also took a swipe at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies, calling them reckless and dangerous. “For Modi, every attack is an excuse for hostility. If we did the same, our region would never see peace.”
He called for fresh dialogue and insisted Pakistan’s stand on the IWT has won support, not just diplomatically but in international media too.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed similar concerns earlier this month, branding India’s move to suspend the treaty a “clear violation” and vowing Pakistan will respond in line with its national security policy.
