Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has urged India to reconsider its current hostile and misguided policies, which he stated threaten peace and undermine security in South Asia.

According to Radio Pakistan, Dar addressed the 52nd anniversary event of the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, where he mentioned that Pakistan swiftly responded to recent Indian escalation with a quid pro quo plus response. He highlighted that during the four-day conflict, Pakistan demonstrated that India cannot intimidate or coerce it.

Dar emphasized Pakistan’s determination to protect its rights under the Indus Water Treaty, rejecting India’s attempts to weaponize water for geopolitical objectives. He asserted that India’s unilateral action to put the treaty in abeyance holds no validity and that Pakistan will continue to engage international and legal platforms to highlight India’s violations of international law and the treaty’s provisions.

He made it clear that Pakistan will not permit India to hold its 240 million citizens hostage to hydro-terrorism. Dar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful relationships with all neighbors, including India, advocating for peace with dignity and honor.

Dar stated that sustainable peace in South Asia depends on a just solution for Indian illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The Deputy Prime Minister called for re-imagining regional cooperation in South Asia. He suggested that South Asian countries could form groups on issues such as economy, technology, and connectivity, noting that Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh have recently formed a trilateral mechanism to promote cooperation.

He emphasized Pakistan’s contributions to peace, security, and sustainable development, highlighting its strategic engagement with the global community to ensure a secure and prosperous future for Pakistan. He noted an improvement in Pakistan’s global profile.

Expressing concerns over developments in the Middle East, Dar urged the international community to stop Israel’s actions in Gaza, emphasizing the need for Palestinians to be granted their right to self-determination.