Pakistan hits back, warns India over stopping water

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday said any violation of Indus Water Treaty by India would pertain to considerable risk of war and hostilities between the two countries.

Pakistan will not accept Indian aggression in any form and any step for disrupting water flow as upper riparian will be considered as an act of war, the Advisor said in National Assembly in response to a calling attention notice.

He said India feels much pressure due to our diplomatic onslaught and raising voice on grave human rights violation in Indian occupied Kashmir and supporting the right to self determination for Kashmiri people in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

The Advisor explained the provisions of Indus Water Treaty and said as per sub provision 3 and 4 of provisions of article 12 of IWT the treaty cannot be altered or revoked unilaterally.

He said the treaty shall continue to be in force until modified by both the countries after an understanding.

This treaty is for an indefinite period and is a binding.

It is not time specific or event specific.

Sartaj Aziz said the treaty offers no unilateral exit provision or revocation.

Moreover there is also an arbitration mechanism provided in Indus Water Treaty to resolve the disputes within its mechanism.

He said according to international law and provisions of IWT India cannot unilaterally revoke the treaty as it will not only undermine India’s international standing but also pertain to considerable risk of war and hostilities.

The Advisor said if India tries to interrupt water flow into Pakistan as an upper riparian it will not only violate IWT but also set a regional state practice under which an international law can serve as a precedence for others.

Such an Indian act may also provide China with a justification to consider suspension of water of Indian river Brahmaputra.

India has already damaged its credentials by even considering revocation of IWT and disrupting water flow into Pakistan.

Sartaj Aziz said the IWT survived wars of 1965 and 1971 between Pakistan and India and was not even suspended during Kargil and Ciachin conflicts.

The treaty is quoted as most successful water treaty between the two countries and its revocation can be taken as an act of war or a hostile act against Pakistan.

He said it is highly irresponsible on part of India to even considering revoking of this treaty as unilateral revocation can pose a threat to Pakistan and its economy.

This Indian act can be taken as a breach of international peace and hence giving Pakistan a good reason to approach the UNSC on this issue.

He said Pakistan is also considering to aware the P 5 countries and international community on the dangers of such an action as Pakistan will react with full force in case of violation.

Answering a question he said the government is preparing a comprehensive dossier on Kulboshan Yadev and Indian interference in Balochistan as well as its operations through Afghanistan.

We shall expose India at the UNSC and before the international community.

When asked about violation of IWT by India he said there are couple of instances of violating this treaty and Pakistan is contesting its case.

The World Bank had facilitated this treaty and its role is defined in the treaty in case of violation by any party.