Pakistan seeks clarification from India over Chenab River flow disruption

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Thursday said Pakistan has voiced grave concerns over the manipulation of flow of Chenab River by India.

At his weekly news briefing in Islamabad, the FO spokesperson said our Commissioner for Indus Waters has written a letter to his Indian counterpart seeking clarification on the matter in accordance with the provisions enshrined in the Indus Water Treaty, Radio Pakistan reported.

He emphasised that any manipulation of river flow by India especially at a critical time of our agricultural cycle directly threatens the lives and livelihoods as well as food and economic security of our citizens.

The spokesperson called upon India to respond to the queries raised by Pakistan and refrain from any unilateral manipulation of river flows, and fulfill its obligations in letter and spirit under the Indus Water Treaty provisions.

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Andrabi reiterated Pakistan’s stance that Indus Water Treaty is a binding international agreement which has been an instrument of peace, security and stability in the region. Its breach or violation on the one hand threatens the inviolability of international treaties and compliance with the international law and on the other hand it poses serious threat to regional peace, principles of good neighbourliness and norms governing inter-state relations.

The spokesperson said Pakistan remains committed to peaceful resolution of disputes with India but will not compromise on existential water rights of its people.

He said all options will be exercised to ensure that our water supply is not restricted by India. We will also ensure that India does not weaponise water as it is flagrant violation of the international law.

Strongly regretting the forcible removal of a Muslim woman’s hijab by the chief minister of Indian state of Bihar, the spokesperson said this action risks normalising the humiliation of Muslim women in India. He said the conduct also demonstrates the public disrespect of India’s religious minorities particularly Muslim citizens.

Case filed against Bihar CM

“Such conduct reflects a broader and troubling pattern associated with Hindutva inspired politics,” he said, urging the Indian government to recognise the seriousness of this incident, protect the rights of minorities, respect the religious freedom and preserve the human dignity.

Responding to a question regarding the latest UN Security Council report, Andrabi said it corroborates what Pakistan has been saying to the Afghan Taliban regime and the wider international community that the presence of terror elements in Afghanistan pose a major threat for peace and security of the region.  He said the findings of the UN Security Council report are in sync with Pakistan’s official position and hoped it will be heard loud and clear across world capitals.