ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday warned that any deliberate attempt to block water essential for Pakistan’s survival and development would have serious repercussions.
Speaking at a weekly media briefing, FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi strongly reacted to remarks made by an Indian minister, cautioning that any such action would be treated with the utmost seriousness and could potentially be regarded as an act of aggression under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
He said, “Any deliberate attempt to block water essential for Pakistan’s existence and economy would constitute an extremely grave act with far-reaching consequences.”
In a recent statement, Indian water minister, CR Patil, had stated that not even a single drop of water would be left for Pakistan in the next few years, maintaining that India had been working hard on it as per the instruction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Andrabi said that any effort at blocking or substantially restricting water which is vital to the survival, agriculture, and well-being of over 250 million Pakistanis would be a very irresponsible act.
The FO spokesperson described such an act as a violation of international laws regarding transboundary waters as well as India’s own bilateral agreements with Pakistan. “We categorically rejectthe notion that water is used as a political tool or weapon.”
Andrabisaid that the responsibility of jeopardizing international and regional peace and security would fall on India’s shoulders.
In response to a question, he clarified that every state has a sovereign right to defence.
Pakistan’s mediatory and facilitative efforts to ease US-Iran tensions have endeavoured to end hostilities, save lives, and give diplomacy a chance.
To another question, the spokesperson said Pakistan carried out precision strikes on June 9 on terror hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Waziristan on June 2 and in Bannu on June 9. Pakistani security forces targeted Fitna Al Khawarij, involved in planning attacks in Bannu and Waziristan. Pakistan acted against selected hideouts on credible intelligence.
Aboutthe expansion of India’s nuclear arsenal in light of the recent SIPRI findings, Andrabi responded by saying that it did not come as a surprise to Pakistan.
He said the report largely validated Pakistan’s fears on the issue of India’s continued vertical proliferation.
The FO spokesperson observedthat these findings did not fully reflected India’s nuclear arsenal, considering the latter’s capacity.
Andrabi stated that Pakistan did not seek an arms race and was not interested in matching warheads and ammunition by numbers.
He maintained that Pakistan would continue to work for the preservation of strategic stability to deter any possible Indian aggression.
According to the spokesperson, Pakistan was also cognizant of the recent trends in India’s strategic weapons capacity. This included the canisterization of its missile systems, expansions in the number of sea-based nuclear-capable subs, and increasing development of intercontinental ballistic missile systems that extended well beyond the borders of India.
The spokesperson stated that Pakistani nationals had been in the captivity of Somali pirates for almost 50 days now aboard the cargo ship MT Honour 25.
“Sadly, we have not been able to secure their release and repatriation, despite proactive engagement with the Somali authorities and the shipowner, both of whom are negotiating with the pirates and relevant tribes,” he maintained.
The government took several resolute steps to free the Pakistani hostages on MT Honour 25. Moreover, a meeting of relevant ministries and stakeholders would be held hereearly next week to further streamline the ongoing efforts and better coordinate the initiatives for the release of Pakistani hostages.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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