ISLAMABAD, April 24 (Alliance News): In a firm and unprecedented move, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) has warned that any attempt by India to block or divert waters rightfully belonging to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an act of war.
The warning came during a high-level NSC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where top civil and military leadership unanimously rejected India’s unilateral decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. The NSC declared the agreement a cornerstone of regional stability and affirmed that water is a national lifeline for over 240 million Pakistanis.
“If the flow of water owned by Pakistan is blocked or diverted, it will be deemed a declaration of war,” the NSC said in a strongly worded communiqué.
The meeting followed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement suspending the treaty, banning Pakistani nationals, and taking multiple hostile actions in the wake of a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which killed 26 tourists.
As part of its immediate countermeasures, Pakistan has restricted the Indian High Commission’s diplomatic strength in Islamabad to a maximum of 30 staff members, effective April 30. Additionally, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian-owned or operated aircraft and shut down the Wagah Border for all bilateral trade and movement.
The NSC also suspended all trade routes with India, including those through third countries, and vowed to respond to any Indian aggression with full national resolve. “The people and the armed forces of Pakistan stand fully prepared to defend national sovereignty,” the committee declared.
The NSC noted that India’s actions validate the Two-Nation Theory and echoed the warnings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Despite provocations, the statement reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peace but warned against mistaking restraint for weakness.
India’s recent actions include declaring Pakistani defence attachés persona non grata and reducing its own diplomatic staff in Islamabad. It also cancelled all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas issued to Pakistanis, instructed them to leave India by May 1, and blocked the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan.
Defence Minister Warns of Strong Response
Speaking on Geo News, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif rejected India’s claim that Pakistan was involved in the Pahalgam attack, calling the allegations “baseless” and “irresponsible.” He suggested the attack could be a “false flag operation,” a view shared by several defence analysts who highlighted India’s history of propaganda following such incidents.
Brigadier (retd) Rashid Wali and Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed both expressed concern over India’s immediate blame game, calling it an attempt to divert attention from internal unrest in places like Nagaland, Manipur, and Chhattisgarh.
Political and Civil Reactions Pour In
Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians’ spokesperson Shazia Marri condemned the Indian response, saying New Delhi’s actions are a violation of international law. She affirmed that Pakistan would take the issue to global forums and warned the world about India’s water aggression and treaty violations.
President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry accused India of staging the Pahalgam attack to escalate tensions. He said India’s real intent was to deflect from its crimes in occupied Kashmir.
Pir Pagara, head of the Hur Jamaat, declared full support for Pakistan’s armed forces and called for national unity. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman accused India of orchestrating a conspiracy and urged the government to issue a forceful response.
Business and Legal Communities Join the Stand
The Pakistan Business Forum called for the immediate suspension of the Pakistan-India Joint Business Council, severing ties with Indian trade groups, and returning Indian goods imported through Middle Eastern ports. The forum also urged a boycott of Indian businesses and SAARC engagements.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) demanded that all Indian diplomats be declared persona non grata and expelled within 48 hours. SCBA President Mian Rauf stated that India’s baseless accusations were a desperate attempt to hide atrocities in Kashmir under the shadow of war hysteria.
As diplomatic tensions surge, the Government of Pakistan has begun briefing international media and foreign missions about India’s provocative actions, while reaffirming its readiness to safeguard Pakistan’s national interests and regional peace.
