Pakistan’s top military leadership on Monday said it would take all necessary steps to secure the country’s “legitimate share” of water under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). India suspended the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty after the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, as part of a series of punitive measures against Pakistan. The treaty governs the sharing and use of the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries.
According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Army, the decision was taken during the 276th Corps Commanders’ Conference, chaired by Army Chief General Asim Munir. The military said it would act in line with government directives and the expectations of the Pakistani people to ensure the country’s share of water.
Pakistan Repeats ‘Act of War’ Warning
The conference also reaffirmed the decisions taken during Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on April 24, 2025.
At that meeting, Pakistan had declared that any attempt to stop or divert the country’s share of water would be considered an “act of war.”
The military leadership also reviewed the country’s security situation and expressed satisfaction with the operational readiness, professionalism and combat preparedness of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Concerns Over Terrorism
The meeting also claimed that terrorist groups are using areas controlled by the Afghan Taliban to launch attacks inside Pakistan, and expressed serious concern over the issue.
Pakistan Repeats Earlier Stand
Earlier, on July 2, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi rejected India’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty.
He accused India of using “baseless allegations of terrorism” as a reason to suspend the treaty and block Pakistan’s share of river water.
Andrabi also claimed that the real issue was India’s growing view of shared international rivers as a strategic asset that could be controlled, restricted or diverted.
India Maintains Its Position
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has maintained that the Indus Waters Treaty remains suspended in response to Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism. Speaking at a seminar in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan does not accept India’s decision to suspend the treaty.
He argued that the agreement remains valid, binding and effective, adding that neither side can unilaterally suspend or terminate a treaty that has no such provision.
What Is the Indus Waters Treaty?
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in 1960 with the World Bank acting as a mediator. The agreement governs the sharing and use of the waters of the Indus River and its tributaries between India and Pakistan.
First published on: Jul 07, 2026 04:21 PM IST
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