As tensions between the countries continue to mount over the recently occurred Pahalgam terror attack, Islamabad’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has added fuel to the fire by calling the perpetrators as “freedom fighter”.
While there has been a huge anger in India and diplomatic measures have been taken to punish the neighbouring county for its alleged involvement in the attacks, the remarks of Ishaq Dar, who is also Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, has further escalated the tensions between the two countries.
His controversial remarks came a day after New Delhi put the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty on hold in a significant diplomatic blow to Islamabad, following the terrorist attack. The move was reached during the Cabinet Committee for Security meet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday night. India also revoked all visas granted to Pakistani individuals, including those in the country for medical reasons.
Commenting on India’s significant action regarding the Treaty, Dar stated that it resembled an “act of war.”
“240 million people in Pak need war”
Dar said, “240 million people in Pakistan need water… you cannot stop it. It is tantamount to an act of war. Any suspension or encroachment won’t be accepted”.
In a similar declaration, the Pakistani government has stated that India’s diversion of waters will be deemed an act of war.
“Any effort to halt or redirect the water flow that belongs to Pakistan under the Indus Waters Treaty and to infringe upon the rights of lower riparians will be regarded as an act of war,” stated a release following the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Intensifying the rhetoric, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif alleged that India is preparing assaults throughout Pakistan. “We will make them pay an exorbitant amount.” If India harms our citizens, Indian citizens won’t be safe either. “It will be an eye for an eye,” Asif stated.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned of retaliatory action against India if any harm came to Pakistanis.
