Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has reacted strongly to the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. During a public rally on Friday, he warned India about the consequences. He said, “The Indus is ours and will remain ours. Either our water will flow through it, or their blood will.”
His statement came shortly after the terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 tourists. The attack further increased tensions between India and Pakistan.
Treaty Plays a Vital Role for Pakistan
The Indus Waters Treaty was signed in September 1960. After years of talks, India and Pakistan agreed on how to share the waters from six rivers in the Indus basin. The treaty is critical for Pakistan. Around 80% of its farmland depends on these river waters.
By suspending the agreement, India could deeply affect Pakistan’s agriculture and economy. Bhutto’s strong remarks reflect the seriousness of the situation.
Bhutto Slams PM Modi’s Actions
Bhutto also took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He accused Modi of stirring conflict and trying to take control of the Indus waters. He said, “He (Modi) says they are heirs to a civilisation thousands of years old, but that civilisation lies in Mohenjo Daro, in Larkana. We are its true custodians, and we will defend it.”
Although he mentioned the ancient city in Pakistan, the Indus Valley civilisation extended into parts of western India as well.
Pakistan’s Leaders Respond to Modi
Bhutto became the second senior Pakistani leader to criticize PM Modi. Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also responded to Modi’s speech in Bihar.
In that speech, Modi gave a strong message after the Pahalgam attack. He said India would “identify, track and punish” every terrorist and their supporters. He also promised to “pursue them to the ends of the earth.”
Bhutto Accuses India of Hiding Failures
Bhutto claimed that India was using the terror attack to hide its own issues. He said Pakistan had already condemned the attack. However, India continued to blame Pakistan to divert public attention.
He also accused India of violating the treaty. He said, “India is unlawfully abrogating the treaty under which it had acknowledged that the Indus belongs to Pakistan.”
