India Halts Indus Waters Treaty Following Terrorist Attacks; Pakistan Responds with Threats.
New Delhi/Islamabad – Following recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, India has taken a b stance against Pakistan by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, causing widespread alarm in Pakistan. Reacting to this decision, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday, "Every action by India will be met with a b counter-response."
Sharif made this statement during a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, warning India that Pakistan would now retaliate against every move.
Bilawal Bhutto's Inflammatory Remarks
Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also issued a controversial statement, saying, "The Indus is ours and will remain ours. Either our water will flow from this river, or their blood."
Pakistan Issues War Threat
Pakistan has explicitly stated that halting or altering the flow of water under the Indus Waters Treaty would be equivalent to "declaring war." Furthermore, the Pakistani government has taken several actions against India:
Suspension of Trade Relations with India
- Suspension of the Shimla Agreement and other bilateral agreements.
- Threat to close its airspace.
Why Did India Suspend the Indus Waters Treaty?
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan in 1960, has been suspended by India. This action is attributed to Pakistan's continued support for and failure to cooperate in countering terrorist activities.
Pakistan Cancels Indian Visas
Amidst this tense atmosphere, Pakistan has also revoked all visas issued to Indian citizens under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). An exception has been made only for Sikh pilgrims.
