'Will Destroy Any Structure Built To Divert Indus Water': Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Issues Threat To India (VIDEO)
Islamabad: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has threatened India that if it builds any structure to divert Pakistan's share of water under the Indus waters treaty would be destroyed. India had suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, which ensures water for 80% of Pakistani agricultural land.
Speaking to a news channel, When asked about Pakistan's reaction if India moves to construct dams on the Indus basin, Asif said, "That will be aggression against Pakistan... even if they (India) made an architectural attempt of this kind, then Pakistan will destroy that structure."
Reacting to Asif's remarks, BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said such "hollow threats" only showed the fear among the Pakistanis.
"Khawaja Asif is visibly shaken. Though he is Pakistan's Defence Minister, he hardly has any control. He's merely a 'statement minister,' constantly issuing hollow threats. The fear among Pakistanis is evident. They are losing sleep at night," Hussain said speaking to the media.
The decision to suspend the treaty was one of the stringent measures against Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocents were killed on April 22.
Earlier, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said that any attempt to stop or divert the flow of water belonging to Pakistan would be considered an "Act of War."
Suspending the Indus waters treaty was among five key measures approved during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move could have far-reaching implications, especially for Pakistan’s water security and agricultural economy.
What is the Indus Waters Treaty?
Signed on September 19, 1960, the Indus Waters Treaty is a landmark agreement between India and Pakistan that governs the distribution and usage of water from the Indus River system. It was facilitated by the World Bank after nearly a decade of negotiations and signed by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan.
The IWT divides the six rivers of the Indus basin between the two countries. India receives unrestricted rights over the eastern rivers: Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
Pakistan is granted control over the western rivers: Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab, which collectively make up around 80% of the total river flow.
Despite this division, both countries are allowed limited use of the other's rivers for purposes like hydropower generation, irrigation, and transport, provided they follow specific technical criteria to avoid interference with the other nation's water supply.
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