• Presides a high level meeting on water resources
• Provinces, AJK and GB are with Center on Water Security
• PM is aimed at Saudi Arabia for a two -day visit by MBS invitation
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sentenced the unilateral suspension of India of the Water Treaty (IWT) on Thursday, describing it as a “flagrant violation and act of water aggression”, and warned that Pakistan would give an in -line response with decisions taken at the meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) held on April 24.
By chairing a high -level meeting on water resources at the Prime Minister’s house before leaving for an official two -day visit to Saudi Arabia, the prime minister promised that Pakistan would prevail in the front of the water as “the victory in war” had recently achieved it.
The high-level meeting brought together the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, ISHAQ Dar, Chief of the Army staff seafood, Syed also Munir, federal ministers, main ministers of the four provinces, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Cashmira (AJK), the main minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and the senior federal and provincial officials.
“This is a battle of justice, and as every battle that we have fought with unity, we will defeat the aggression of India’s water with resolution and wisdom,” said the prime minister. He stressed that living nations face the challenges in front and make strategic and durable decisions to protect their future generations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the Indian threats to arm the water trying to violate the 1960 Indus Water Treaty are increasing with each day that passes. He stressed that the treaty, a binding international agreement, does not allow any part to retire unilaterally, and the statements of India are politically and legally hollow.
All provincial ministers, together with the leadership of Ajk and Gilgit-Baltistan, strongly condemned the threats of Indian water and unanimously reaffirmed their support for the position of the federal government. The prime minister praised this attached position, describing it as “reflection of our national collective resolution to protect Pakistan’s water safety.”
Emphasizing the urgency of improving water storage, Prime Minister Shehbaz ordered the establishment of a high -power committee under Mr. Dar to supervise financing strategies for new prey projects. The committee will include all provincial ministers, AJK prime minister and relevant federal ministers, and is told to present their recommendations within 72 hours.
“We will prioritize the construction of non -controversial deposits. Wherever there is unanimity, we must act without delay. These dams are not political; they are a national need,” said the prime minister. It made it clear that any project with multiprovincial consensus will accelerate and complete in a priority.
There was a detailed information session during the meeting on Pakistan’s water infrastructure. The officials informed the participants that the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam is underway and is expected to be completed in 2032, while the Mohmand dam is probably completed by 2027.
Currently, Pakistan has 11 dams with a total storage capacity of 15.32 million acres-pies. According to the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), 32 small and large dams are being built, while 79 projects are underway under annual development programs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also pointed out the serious problem of sediment in existing deposits such as Tarbela and Mangla, which has drastically reduced its water retention capabilities. He said that bold decisions must be made now, warning that history would judge today’s leadership for the steps needed.
“We owe our 240 million people to act decisively. It is not about politics; it is survival. Future generations must remember this leadership with respect for the elections we take today,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also congratulated the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Economic Affairs and the relevant secretaries to obtain loans from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank despite the strong Indian lobbying.
PM arrives in Saudi Arabia
Later, Prime Minister Shehbaz arrived in Jeddah on Thursday at a two -day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the heir prince of Saudi Arabia and Prince Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz to the Saud.
Upon arrival, Prime Minister Shehbaz was received by Jeddah’s governor, Prince Saud Bin Abdullah Jalawi, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in Pakistan, Nawaf Bin Saeed al-Malkiy, Pakistan ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq and high-low diplomatic officials.
The prime minister and his team are scheduled to spend Eidul Azha in the kingdom and hold conversations with Saudi leadership on EID day.
During the meeting, the two parties will discuss the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment, the well -being of the Muslim UMMAH and regional peace and security.
Posted in Dawn, June 6, 2025
