Bilawal Bhutto Defends His “Blood in River” Remark Amid Rising Tensions Over Indus Waters Treaty

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has again stood by his incendiary statement, “when there is war, blood does flow,” uttered after India halted the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). His comments have been in focus in the wake of the latest terrorist attack on Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, a majority of whom were tourists.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based terror outfit proxy, owned up to the attack.

“The Indus is Ours” – Bhutto’s Political Rationale

Bilawal Bhutto had previously uttered the incendiary comment in a public rally in Sukkur, Sindh province, declaring, “The Indus is ours and will remain ours — either our water will flow through it, or their blood.” This was made after India suspended the IWT, a move announced on April 23, one day after the fatal Pahalgam terror attack.

In a recent interview on the BBC, Bhutto reaffirmed his justification of the statement, while pointing out that it was made politically and wasn’t supposed to be an official statement on behalf of Pakistan’s government or army. He clarified, “I am not stationed at the border with a gun, nor do I hold a position in the current government. I was speaking at a political rally on the banks of the River Indus, addressing the day or the day after the Indus Water Treaty was violated by India.”

We speak to @BBhuttoZardari. He rejects India’s allegations #Pakistan was involved in a deadly attack that killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam & echoed the gov’s call for an independent investigation. We asked about his comment – “either water will flow or their blood will” pic.twitter.com/kNGIxBOcVL

— Azadeh Moshiri (@Azadeh_Moshiri) April 30, 2025

Articulation of Pakistani Sentiments

Bhutto explained that his remark was an expression of the collective sentiments of the Pakistani people rather than a personal emotional outburst. He said, “It is not an irrational reaction solely from my side, but an articulation of the feelings of the people of Pakistan. The government in power has said that any decision to withdraw from the Indus Water Treaty would be considered an act of war, and I’m sure you are aware that when there is war, blood does flow.”

He also added that Pakistan was unable to retaliate using its water resources because that would amount to an act of war if India were to weaponize water against Pakistan.

The Indus River and Its Cultural and Historical Importance

In his address, Bhutto also stressed the cultural and historical importance of the Indus River, making it a key part of Pakistan’s heritage. “The Indus runs through Sindh province, and the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro, the Indus Valley Civilisation, flourished along its banks,” he stated.

Bhutto announced, “But that civilisation lies in Mohenjo-Daro, in Larkana. We are its true custodians, and we will defend it.”

The Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty

The Indus Waters Treaty, facilitated by the World Bank in 1960, had granted India sole rights over the eastern rivers—Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi—while Pakistan held the western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab.

With the suspension of the treaty, India is said to be looking for means to exploit the waters of the western rivers more comprehensively, further fueling tensions between the two countries.