Dar warns India: Water blockade to be treated as ‘an act of war’

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has warned that unilateral suspension of Indus Waters Treaty (WT) and India’s attempt to deprive Pakistan of its due share of water will be considered an act of war.

India’s illegal and unilateral decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty and its weaponisation of water is also a matter of grave concern for the international community. “We hope that India will draw the appropriate lessons from the events surrounding its actions and Pakistan’s response under Marka-e-Haq. Any misadventure against Pakistan will be met with full might, resolve, and determination”.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar briefed the Diplomatic Corps on the first anniversary of Marka e Haq, describing it as a symbol of Pakistan’s unity, resilience, and the unwavering resolve of its Armed Forces to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

READ MORE: Indus Waters Treaty: Hague-based CoA endorses Pakistan’s position

DPM Dar added that India’s attempts to utilize water as a means to put pressure on Pakistan will never be accepted.

More recently, Dar noted with concern that on 2 May 2026, the flow of the River Jhelum was observed to rise sharply within a short span of time, before dropping again significantly within the same day. Similarly, during 2-3 May 2026, unusual and unexplained variations were recorded in the River Chenab, including a marked decrease in flow during the early hours of 3 May 2026, well below expected seasonal levels.

“Beyond India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and its attempts to politicize shared water resources, he stated Pakistan has observed a concerning pattern of irregular and unexplained fluctuations in river flows over the recent period, raising serious questions regarding compliance with established treaty obligations”.

Earlier, in April 2025, we have twice observed unusual, abrupt variation in the flow of the river Chenab, first between 30th April and 21 May 2025 and then again between 7th and 15th December 2025.