FO warns of fallout if India blocks water

Pakistan on Thursday warned that any deliberate attempt to block water essential to Pakistan's survival and development would have "far-reaching consequences".

"Any such act would be treated with utmost seriousness and could possibly amount to an act of war under Article 51 of the UN Charter," said Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during his weekly media briefing while responding to a question about recent remarks by Indian water minister.

A day ago, Indian Minister of Water CR Patil told India's ANI news agency that "not a single drop of water will go [to Pakistan] in the coming years".

Patil said that India was "actively working on it" after "directives" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Taking note of the remarks, Andrabi said that "any attempt to block or substantially curtail water that is vital to the livelihood, agriculture and well being of over 25o million Pakistanis would be a deeply irresponsible act".

Andrabi also strongly rejected recent remarks by India's Ministry of External Affairs regarding the situation in Azad Jammu Kashmir.

He said India lacked credibility to comment on the rights of Kashmiris while continuing to deny the people of the Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination.

"It is untenable for a state like India, which has consistently denied the people of Jammu and Kashmir their right to self-determination, to claim concerns over the rights of Kashmiris," he said.

The spokesperson also rejected what he described as attempts by New Delhi to draw a false equivalence between developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the situation in the Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

According to Andrabi, issues arising in Azad Jammu and Kashmir were being addressed through a democratic and constitutional framework, whereas the internationally recognised dispute over Kashmir remained unresolved.

The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan's position that any deliberate attempt to obstruct water essential for the country's survival and development would be treated with utmost seriousness.

Referring to earlier statements by Pakistan's leadership, Andrabi said such actions could amount to an act of war and noted that states retained the inherent right of self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

He urged India to honour its international commitments, act responsibly and avoid actions that could further destabilise the region.