Why it matters:
Tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan are escalating in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. The threat of water weaponization strikes at the heart of regional stability, with Dar's statement signaling a potential flashpoint over one of South Asia’s most sensitive bilateral agreements.
The big picture:
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside military spokesperson Major General Ahmed Sharif and Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, Dar rejected Indian accusations of Pakistani involvement in the recent Pahalgam violence. He reiterated Pakistan's condemnation of terrorism and accused India of politicizing such incidents to deflect from internal issues and justify its crackdowns in Kashmir.
What they’re saying:
Ishaq Dar, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister: "If India suspends the Indus Waters Treaty and stops the water, it is tantamount to war—and we will defend it vigorously."
“Pakistan condemns all terrorism. We are among the worst victims, both in human and financial terms.”
“India uses every terrorist incident to blame Pakistan and obscure its domestic failures.”
Major General Ahmed Sharif, DG ISPR: “India pinned blame on Pakistan within ten minutes of the Pahalgam incident. That is not investigation—that’s choreography.”
“Attempts were made to ignite religious unrest by suggesting only Hindus were targeted.”
“Hundreds of Pakistani detainees in Indian prisons may be declared terrorists and killed in fake encounters.”
Go deeper:
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered in 1960 by the World Bank, has survived multiple wars and skirmishes between India and Pakistan. Any disruption to the treaty could destabilize not only bilateral relations but also regional water security. Islamabad’s escalatory rhetoric also reflects deeper concerns about India's internal use of security narratives to marginalize Muslims and suppress dissent in Jammu and Kashmir.
Mojtaba Darabi
