The President of Pakistan on Monday accused India of a dangerous attempt to weaponise water by unilaterally suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a move he stated threatens regional peace and the food security of millions.
The severe allegation was part of a presidential message commemorating Right to Self-Determination Day, marking the 77th anniversary of the 1949 United Nations resolution that recognised the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide their own future through an impartial plebiscite.
According to the statement, this solemn commitment from the UN remains unfulfilled more than seven decades later. The President asserted that the passage of time has not diminished the validity of the UN resolutions or the legitimacy of the Kashmiri populace”s demand for self-determination.
The message described the situation in “Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK)” as deeply troubling, citing an “atmosphere of fear and impunity” created by widespread restrictions on political activity, prolonged detentions, and the use of coercive laws.
Highlighting a grave additional challenge, the President pointed to India”s control over rivers originating in the region. He claimed the suspension of the binding international water treaty represented a disregard for its obligations and posed serious implications for the lives of Kashmiris.
Pakistan’s official position, as reiterated in the message, is that lasting peace in South Asia can only be achieved through dialogue and the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which is rooted in the aspirations of its inhabitants.
The President called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations, to move beyond expressions of concern and play an effective role in ensuring the Kashmiri people can exercise their inalienable right, alongside taking credible steps to address ongoing human rights violations.
Concluding the message, the head of state affirmed that Pakistan would continue to extend its consistent moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of IIOJK in their just and peaceful struggle for dignity, justice and a future of their own choosing.