Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has expressed Pakistan's resolve to protect the sanctity of the Indus Waters Treaty by all means.

Addressing the opening session of the seminar on the Indus Waters Treaty in Islamabad today, he said the Indus is our lifeline and vowed to protect the inalienable right of 240 million people of Pakistan to the waters of the Indus River System.

The Information Minister said it is our collective responsibility to ensure that these waters remain a symbol of peace and shared prosperity for generations to come. He said Pakistan stands firm in its determination to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people who are linked to the Indus River. 

Attaullah Tarar said the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be amended, revoked, suspended or held in abeyance unilaterally. He mentioned that this pact came into being after mutual consensus and only mutual consensus can lead to any amendment.

Attaullah Tarar said India's failed attempt to unilaterally hold this treaty in abeyance has led to international embarrassment for India at various forums, including legal ones.

Highlighting the challenge posed by climate change and water scarcity, the Information Minister emphasized that protecting the Indus Waters Treaty is of the utmost essence.  He said any attempt to block or stop water will always fail. He noted that the weaponization of water or attempts to unilaterally alter established arrangements undermine not only regional peace and stability but also the broader framework of international law.

He said Pakistan has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the peaceful engagement and constructive dialogue as well as the faithful implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty.

He warned if any attempt is made to stop the water of Pakistan, our leadership stands resolved to respond effectively to restore the water for the people of Pakistan.

Addressing the seminar on Indus Waters Treaty, Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik highlighted the importance of Indus river system for Pakistan's economy, agriculture and food security, regretting the manipulation of the flows of water by the neighbouring country.

He emphasized the need for a covenant that imposes economic, political and diplomatic consequences on countries found to be manipulating water flows to the detriment of downstream countries.

Speaking at the seminar, Head of the Scientific Centre of International and Strategic Studies at the University of World Civilization, Moscow Roxolana Zigon said India is weaponizing water through infrastructure projects.

She said all Indian unilateral actions such as constructing dams or shrinking water supplies threaten food security and economic stability of Pakistan.

Shedding light on different aspects of the Indus Water Treaty, Pakistan’s Commissioner for Indus Waters Syed Mehar Ali Shah said the Treaty is a national security and not merely a hydrology for Pakistan.

He said Pakistan's restraint has been deliberate, but water, food, livelihood and social stability are not negotiable abstractions. He made it clear that Pakistan has publically defined the strategic threshold for any attempt to stop or divert the treaty waters belonging to Islamabad.

Mehar Ali Shah said India cannot hold Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance unilaterally.

He said Pakistan is not responding only through speeches, but used the international system responsibly.

The Pakistan’s Commissioner said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also briefed the diplomatic corps, the President of the UN Security Council and President of the UN General Assembly. Meanwhile, the Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN transmitted the record to the UN Security Council as well.