Islamabad:Pakistan's Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has stated that while Pakistan is committed to peace, it will not allow India to use water as a weapon.

According to Radio Pakistan, Tarar made these remarks during the launch of a report titled 'Weaponizing Waters: Historical, Legal, and Strategic Dimensions of IWT Suspension' at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad.

The Information Minister emphasized that the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be altered, rescinded, or held in abeyance unilaterally. He noted that the court of arbitration has supported Pakistan's position, reinforcing that unilateral changes to the treaty's status are not permissible.

Tarar highlighted Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to engage the international community, reiterating Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's statement at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly that the Indus Waters Treaty is vital for the region. Any attempts to undermine this treaty would be considered acts of war.

He stressed the clarity of Pakistan's stance on the treaty, which has garnered international support, and described it as crucial for regional peace and stability. He condemned any efforts to weaponize water or create controversy around the treaty as unjustifiable on legal, diplomatic, and moral grounds.

Tarar also urged the international community to recognize the significant precedent such unilateral actions could set, warning of potential implications for global water governance. He affirmed Pakistan's commitment to defending its national interests and continuing international engagement on this issue in line with international law.