PM Shehbaz warns India against diverting water, calls it ‘act of war’ at UNGA
At a glance
- PM Shehbaz Sharif warned India at the UNGA that diverting water would be an 'act of war'.
- He said India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty has been rejected by UN experts and an international court.
- The PM also praised US President Donald Trump's role in brokering a ceasefire with India in May 2025.
Story so far
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned India's actions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in an address at the United Nations General Assembly. He stated that India's decision to hold the treaty in abeyance is illegal and has been rejected by international bodies. The Prime Minister warned that any move by India to impede or divert Pakistan's water share would be treated as an act of war. He also recalled a brief military conflict in 2025, highlighting a subsequent ceasefire brokered by the US.
Latest development
In a speech at the 81st UN General Assembly session, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned India that any attempt to divert Pakistan's share of river waters would be considered an "act of war." He also referenced a 2025 conflict, praising US President Donald Trump's role in brokering a ceasefire.
Latest updates
In his address at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif elaborated on Pakistan's stance, stating that India's abeyance of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) since last year had no legal basis. He highlighted that Pakistan's position had been “vindicated beyond any ray of doubt” by UN experts and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
“Water must never be weaponised. Rivers should nourish nations, not divide them,” the prime minister stressed.
Mr. Sharif also referenced last year’s brief military conflict with India, which followed an attack on tourists in Pahalgam. He noted that while New Delhi blamed Islamabad without evidence, Pakistan denied the allegations and called for a neutral investigation. He praised the country's armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir for their professional response.
The prime minister also commended US President Donald Trump’s “resolute and visionary leadership” in brokering a ceasefire in May 2025, which he said saved “hundreds of millions of lives.” He added that a fair resolution of the Kashmir dispute was necessary to prevent future conflicts in South Asia.
Latest Fact Checks
Any attempt to divert Pakistan’s water to be treated as act of war, India ‘must make no mistake about it’: PM at UNGA
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that any attempt by India to divert Pakistan’s share of water would be treated as an “act of war”. “Any attempt to stop, impede or divert Pakistan’s share of the waters will be treated as an act of war. In
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