Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad will take direct action if India attempts to build any infrastructure on the Indus River in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The statement comes amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Speaking on Geo News’ programme Naya Pakistan on Friday, Asif said any construction by India that disrupts the flow of the Indus River would be treated as an act of aggression. “If they attempt to build any kind of structure, we will strike it,” he stated. “Aggression is not just limited to military action. Water is life, and blocking it can lead to deaths from hunger and thirst.”
Asif added that if India undertakes “any architectural attempt,” Pakistan would take action to destroy it. However, he said that for now, Pakistan would pursue the matter through diplomatic and legal channels, beginning with mechanisms under the Indus Waters Treaty.
Tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi escalated after the April 22 attack in the Pahalgam region of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, which left at least 26 people dead. India has blamed Pakistan for the incident without publicly presenting evidence, prompting a series of retaliatory steps including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, cancellation of visas for Pakistani nationals, and closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing.
Pakistan has denied any involvement in the attack and has offered to participate in an impartial international investigation. In response to India’s actions, Islamabad expelled Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelled visas for Indian citizens—except Sikh pilgrims—and closed the border crossing on its side.
Asif criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of using the incident to generate political support ahead of the country's upcoming elections. “Modi is staging a drama to sway voters,” the minister claimed.
The defence minister also noted that India has failed to gain the international backing it expected. “The global community has not accepted Modi’s allegations against Pakistan,” Asif said, adding that pressure on India is growing. However, he cautioned, “I won’t say the threat is over yet.”
Earlier, on April 24, Prime Minister Modi vowed that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack would face consequences. In a subsequent high-level meeting with defence officials on April 29, he reportedly gave the Indian armed forces “complete operational freedom” to decide on a response, according to local media citing government sources. (Source: GEO TV)
