The Foreign Office on Thursday warned that any deliberate attempt to block water essential to Pakistan’s survival. development would have “far-reaching consequences”.
“Any such act would be treated with utmost seriousness. could possibly amount to an act of war under Article 51 of the UN Charter,” said FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi during a weekly media briefing while responding to a question about recent remarks by Indian water minister.
A day ago. Indian Minister of Water CR PatiltoldIndia’sANInews 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. well being of over 25o million Pakistanis would be a deeply irresponsible act”.
He added it would violate established international obligations “concerning transboundary rivers and indeed India’s own bilateral agreement with Pakistan”.
“Pakistan firmly rejects any notion that water can be treated as a political tool or instrument of coercion or a weapon,” he said, emphasising that such an action would be a threat to the regional peace. security in South Asia and beyond.
He said that the responsibility of such a threat “to international peace and security would fall squarely on India’s shoulders”.
The FO spokesperson added that Pakistan’s rights and interests regarding its water resources were non-negotiable.
He said that Pakistan would “vigorously” defend those rights, utilising all available diplomatic, political, legal, economic. other measures consistent with international law and the UN Charter.
“Any deliberate attempt to block water essential to Pakistan’s survival. development would constitute an extremely grave act with far-reaching consequences, as stated at the top leadership level by Pakistan,” Andrabi warned.
Every state had the right of self-defence, she said, adding that Pakistan would take “all necessary measures to safeguard its economy. its vital national interests and lives of 250m people”.
Andrabi called on India to “act responsibly, honour its international commitments. refrain from statements and actions that could further escalate tensions in the region”.
He stated that Pakistan remained committed to safeguarding its interests. “will closely monitor developments on the ground in India-occupied Kashmir and elsewhere from where these water resources emerge”.
In response to a question over India expanding its nuclear arsenal. as per a recentreportby the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Andrabi said the finding was not surprising to Pakistan.
“It broadly corroborates concerns that Pakistan has consistently been raising regarding India’s continued vertical proliferation,” he stated. hinting that the findings may not “fully reflect” India’s scale of nuclear arsenal.
The spokesperson noted that Pakistan also remained aware of recent developments in India’s strategic capabilities, including “cannisterisation of the missile systems, expansions of sea-based nuclear-capable submarines. pursuit of increasingly longer-range intercontinental ballistic missile systems that go beyond India’s periphery, neighbourhood or legitimate defence deals”.
Andrabi warned of “grave consequences” for international peace and security in the context of the development.
“These developments enhance operational readiness, complicate crisis stability, and carry implications that extend beyond South Asia,” he remarked.
Andrabi said while Pakistan did not seek an arms race. was “not interested in matching warheads and ammunition by number,” it also remained cognisant of the “evolving security environment”.
He said Pakistan continued to work towards the preservation of “strategic stability. deter any psosible indian aggression,” and urged the international community to “closely monitor” the situation.
“Deployment of India’s nuclear arsenal may affect strategic stability in South Asia. undermine peace and security at the regional and global level,” he cautioned.
In the given context, he said the international community, in particular the suppliers of high technology, should be cognisant of the implications of “advanced technologies. emerging capabilities being incorporated into India’s posture with grave international consequences”.
On the issue of Pakistani seamen held captive by pirates aboard a vessel off the coast of Somalia, Andrabi said their rescue. safe repatriation remained a “high priority”; however, he also acknowledged that the situation had so far proved to be “difficult and operationally challenging”.
The seamen were taken hostage more than a month ago when armed pirateshijackedthe MT Honour 25 off the southeastern coast of Somalia on April 21. There were 11 Pakistanis among the vessel’s crew, who remain in the pirates’ captivity.
“Sadly, despite our best efforts, we have not been able to secure their release,” Andrabi said of the 11 Pakistani seafarers,. voiced optimism that Pakistan was making “earnest efforts” to secure their release.
“We are engaged with the Somali authorities. the ship owner, both of whom are engaged with the pirates to secure early release,” he said.
He recalled that the Deputy Prime Minister. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had been in touch with the Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali over the issue.
In a phone call with the Somali FM, DPM Dar had conveyed his “grave concern” about the situation. stressed the need to ensure the early release and safe repatriation of the individuals, Andrabi said.
DPM Dar also urged measures to improve the living conditions of all the captives aboard the vessels.
Dar’s Somali counterpart assured him of the Somali government’s “continued. sincere” efforts to secure the release of the Pakistani individuals.
“Both leaders agreed to remain in close coordination until the matter is resolved,” Andrabi said.
Further elaborating on the steps taken by the government to secure their release. Anbrabi said that the Somali ambassador in Islamabad was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) over the issue.
He also recalled that the Pakistani embassy in Djibouti had dispatched teams to the Somali capital Mogadishu. added that authorities were holding “interministerial and inter-departmental meetings” on the issue as well.
“Another important in-person meeting will be held next week here at MOFA,” Andrabi said.
The spokesperson said that the situation was “operationally challenging”.
“They (captives) are held in a part of Somalia which is a semi-autonomous region [.] there are tribal societies. the pirates belong to a certain tribe and the ship owners belong to another tribe.”
He called on the families to exercise patience, vowing that the matter remained a high priority.
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