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Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has strongly criticized India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty following the deadly Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling it an “unprecedented” move that could isolate New Delhi both regionally and globally.
Speaking on Geo News’ current affairs program Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath on Friday, Bilawal accused India of politicizing terrorism and exploiting tragedy for political gain. “Even during times of war, such steps were not taken,” he said. “What India is doing now is unprecedented and shows it is not interested in combating terrorism but rather exploiting it for political purposes.”
Fallout After Kashmir Attack
Tensions escalated sharply between the two nuclear-armed neighbors after a gun attack in Pahalgam left 26 people dead, including one Nepali national. India quickly moved to downgrade diplomatic ties with Pakistan, suspended visa processing for most Pakistani citizens, shut down the Attari-Wagah land crossing, and announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
In response, Pakistan expelled Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelled existing Indian visas (except for Sikh pilgrims), and closed its side of the border.
The United Nations has since urged both sides to exercise “maximum restraint” and engage in dialogue to resolve their disputes peacefully.
“Weaponising Water Is Immoral”
Bilawal focused much of his criticism on India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty — a 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank that governs water-sharing between the two countries.
“India lacks the authority to unilaterally suspend this treaty,” Bilawal said. “It is internationally recognized and involves third-party guarantees, including the World Bank.”
He warned that using water as a political tool in an era of global climate crisis is both dangerous and unethical. “Weaponising water during a time when the entire planet is threatened by climate change is not only irresponsible but immoral.”
Pakistan Shuts Airspace to India, Halts Trade Amid Rising Tensions Over Kashmir Attack
“If wars are to be fought over water, our future generations will be locked in endless conflict,” he added. “No country will endorse actions aimed at undermining an internationally sanctified water-sharing agreement.”
Kashmir, Article 370, and the Narrative War
Bilawal also accused India of consistently undermining the international legal framework surrounding Kashmir. He cited the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, as an act of suppression, not security.
“That move wasn’t about terrorism. It was a crackdown on peaceful protest and political dissent,” he said, arguing that India continues to blur the line between legitimate resistance and terrorism to escape international accountability.
“They think they succeeded once and can keep repeating it — but the world is now seeing through these tactics,” Bilawal stated.
Domestic Water Politics and Unity
On the domestic front, Bilawal addressed concerns about Pakistan’s contentious canal projects and inter-provincial water distribution, particularly between Sindh and Punjab. He assured viewers that any new canal construction would only proceed through consensus within the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
“In a democracy, unilateral decisions don’t work. It has been agreed that no new canal will be built without national consensus,” he said.
He also warned that “negative forces” are trying to stoke regional tensions for political gain, especially between Sindh and Punjab. “Such forces will be dealt with politically,” he affirmed.
The Bigger Picture
Bilawal’s statements come at a time when South Asia finds itself at a diplomatic crossroads. With the threat of climate change looming large, and water security becoming an increasingly volatile issue, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty could set a dangerous precedent in global geopolitics.
While the international community, including the United Nations, has urged both India and Pakistan to de-escalate, the path forward remains unclear.
For now, Bilawal’s remarks highlight Pakistan’s strategy of framing India’s actions not just as a regional threat, but as a challenge to international norms — particularly those related to environmental responsibility, peaceful coexistence, and multilateral agreements.
