ISLAMABAD:President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday termed India’s illegal actions that placed Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance as plain and simple hydro-terrorism, a weaponisation of vital water flows, to exert political leverage.
In his address to the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), he underlined that this blatant disregard for international and humanitarian law not only jeopardized Pakistan’s agricultural economy but signaled a dangerous escalation in India’s strategy to destabilize the region.
President Zardari said sustainable regional peace required dialogue and respect for international law, adding, “Water security has emerged as a strategic concern. India’s attempts to manipulate river flows and engage in what amounts to water aggression, requires careful, long-term policy planning.”
He said “rivers symbolise life and the international law does not permit the unilateral blockage of water.”
The president noted that the IWT’s suspension was not merely a bilateral issue as the stability of the region also depended on a web of trans-boundary water-sharing practices.
He cautioned that violation of one treaty might incur the same fate on many others across other borders. “We will defend our water rights with unity, resolve, strength and legal clarity,” he added.
President Zardari, while underlining his constitutional mandate as President elected by both Houses of Parliament and all Provincial Assemblies, noted that he was bound to safeguard the unity of the Federation and Parliament.
The provincial autonomy, he said under the Constitution has strengthened participatory governance. He said a strong Federation did not require centralization rather coordination. However, the constitutional forums such as the Council of Common Interests must function effectively, he added.
President Zardari emphasised that issues pertaining to natural resources, fiscal distribution, energy coordination and water management must be resolved through consultation. A functioning and harmonious Federation also required an efficient and equitable distribution of resources, he said, adding, “I look forward to a just and equitable National Finance Commission Award in the coming year.”