Pakistan has accused India of the ‘weaponisation of water,’ claiming that New Delhi’s unilateral suspension of water-sharing agreements has created man-made disasters, a charge leveled during a high-level meeting between Pakistani leadership and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday.
The grave accusation was made by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the sidelines of the Second World Summit for Social Development. He drew the Secretary-General’s attention to India’s withholding of discharge data on shared rivers, which he stated was a direct cause of catastrophes in Pakistan.
The meeting was principally led by President Asif Ali Zardari, who focused on the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute. The President urged Mr. Guterres to facilitate the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on the matter, describing it as one of the oldest unresolved issues on the international body’s agenda. He called for a just and lasting resolution that aligns with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
President Zardari also demanded the reversal of what he termed India’s “unilateral and illegal measures” in the region, reiterating Pakistan’s principled stance on achieving global peace and equity through the settlement of protracted conflicts.
During the discussions, President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateralism and commended the Secretary-General’s leadership in tackling global challenges. He highlighted Pakistan’s extensive history with UN peacekeeping operations, noting that the nation’s peacekeepers have served with distinction in various conflict zones worldwide. Mr. Guterres acknowledged Pakistan’s significant contributions and expressed solidarity with the country’s efforts to combat terrorism.
On the summit’s agenda, the President welcomed the adoption of the Doha Political Declaration, expressing optimism that it would fortify the global resolve to eradicate poverty. He presented Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as a flagship national initiative for promoting economic empowerment and social inclusion.
The President also articulated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian people. He stressed the urgent need to end their suffering and uphold their right to self-determination, reaffirming backing for an independent State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
The Pakistani delegation at the meeting also included First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Qatar.