Senate warns India of swift response to any misadventure.
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Friday said that it would do everything to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty as all options were on the table to preserve the Indus Water Treaty - a lifeline and right of 240 million people - sanctified by international law, and bilateral treaties.
“The Indus Water Treaty has been very clear. It’s unambiguous... All options are on the table for Paki-stan. It is our lifeline. It is our right, sanctified by international law, customary law, bilateral treaties. We will do everything to secure this right for our people,” Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said at his weekly press briefing here.
He told the media that Pakistan was in touch with all the friendly countries to convey its posit ion clear-ly, however, there were no mediation efforts so far.
Reiterating the decisions taken by the National Security Committee in its meeting on Thursday, includ-ing the closure of Wagah Border, suspension of trade, closure of airspace, downgrading of diplomatic ties, and suspension of visas, excluding Sikh pilgrims, he said that India was in no position to make any unilateral decision to hold the water treaty in abeyance.
“Pakistan is a responsible country. It remains committed to fulfill its obligations under international law and bilateral agreements. However, it takes two to tango. India should not create a situation where we are constrained to take extreme steps... The National Security Committee has pronounced itself very clearly that any attempt to dramatically alter or stop the water treaty would be considered as an act of war,” he said.
Commenting about the apprehension that Indian could misuse the Pakistani prisoners for its anti-Pakistan motives, the spokesperson expressed hope that the neighboring country would fulfill its in-ternational and human rights obligations to look after the prisoners undergoing sentences in its jails.
He said the relationship between the two countries was based on certain structural foundations of legal agreements but “if one country is utterly disinterested in any kind of relations, civilised discourse, or interaction, then we also reserve the right to take all necessary measures.”
Asked about the anti-Pakistan propaganda by the Indian media, Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan called it “lamentable” for levelling accusations without verifiable evidence or credible investigation and creat-ing a situation where their government’s position was justified through finger-pointing.
Coming to the Afghan relations, he said that in pursuit of friendly ties with the country Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar paid an important visit to Kabul where various important understandings had been reached, particularly in the area of strong political interaction, which also followed the establishment of a hotline between two sides.
Apprising the media of diplomatic engagements during the last week, the spokesperson mentioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Turkiye and his “extensive discussions” with the Turkish Presi-dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan on bilateral relations and recent developments in the region and beyond.
He also referred to the visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emir-ates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Pakistan on April 20-21, 2025 and his meetings with PM Shehbaz, and DPM Dar besides signing of a Memorandums of Understanding on cultural cooperation, the establishment of a Joint Committee on Consular Affairs, and exchanges on the establishment of the UAE-Pakistan Joint Business Council.
Similarly, an MoU on diplomatic training was also signed between Pakistan and Rwanda during the visit of Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe to Pakistan.
The spokesperson conveyed heartfelt condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, remembering him as a “revered spiritual figure and a worldwide advocate for peace, interfaith dialogue, and compas-sion” who demonstrated unwavering commitment to fostering unity among world religions, advocat-ing for the oppressed, and promoting the inherent dignity of all humankind.
“Pakistan deeply values his tireless efforts to enhance mutual respect and understanding amongst di-verse cultures and faiths... At this moment of profound sorrow, Pakistan stands in solidarity with our Catholic brothers and sisters worldwide and with all those touched by the extraordinary life of ser-vice,” he added.
Meanwhile, t he Senate of Pakistan on Friday unanimously passed a strongly worded resolution rejecting India’s allegations that Pakistan was involved in the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Oc-cupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The resolution, moved by Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, categorically de-nounced what it described as “baseless and frivolous” attempts to malign Pakistan. It condemned ter-rorism in all forms and emphasized that the killing of innocent civilians goes against the core values up-held by the Pakistani nation.
The Senate resolution accused the Indian government of orchestrating a “mala fide campaign” to ex-ploit the issue of terrorism for narrow political purposes. Lawmakers also strongly condemned India’s recent unilateral move to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a blatant violation that “clearly amounts to an act of war.”
The resolution warned that Pakistan remains fully capable and prepared to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, citing the country’s “robust and valiant” response to Indian aggression in February 2019 as a precedent. It stressed that any further misadventure by India would be met with a firm, swift, and decisive response.
While reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, the Senate declared that no compromise would be made on national sovereignty, security, and vital interests.
The resolution also called for India to be held accountable for its alleged involvement in acts of terror-ism and targeted assassinations on foreign soil, including within Pakistan.
Furthermore, the Senate reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination and vowed to continue its moral, political, and diplomatic backing for the cause.
In his address, Deputy Prime Minister Dar briefed the upper house on key decisions taken by the Na-tional Security Committee (NSC), which include suspension of trade ties with India, closure of the Wagah border crossing, downgrading of diplomatic relations, and a warning that any attempt to usurp Pakistan’s water rights would be considered an act of war.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar issued a strong response to India’s announcement of unilaterally revoking the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it a violation of interna-tional agreement and a direct threat to the national security of Pakistan.
Addressing the Senate on Friday, Dar stated, “Water is the lifeline for 240 million Pakistanis. The Indus Waters Treaty is a crucial, internationally recognized agreement that cannot be terminated by one par-ty alone. Its annulment is only possible through mutual consent.”
He emphasized that the issue of water is tied directly to Pakistan’s national security, warning that fu-ture wars could be fought over water. “We will not show any leniency on this matter,” he said.
Dar also revealed that the National Security Committee had made several key decisions in light of the current situation. Among them was the immediate suspension of all forms of trade with India, includ-ing indirect trade via third countries. Furthermore, the Wagah border crossing has been closed with immediate effect.
“Anyone who looks at Pakistan with ill intent will receive a response just like in the past — only strong-er and more decisive this time,” Dar warned, highlighting that Pakistan has already taken two more countermeasures compared to India.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to Pakistan and India to exer-cise maximum restraint.
Speaking at a news conference in New York, Secretary General’s Spokesperson Stephane Dujar-ric said the Secretary General has stressed both the countries to ensure that the situation and the developments, which have taken place following the armed attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir do not deteriorate any further.
