Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly rejected India’s attempts to walk away from the Indus Waters Treaty, stating that such actions cannot be taken unilaterally.

In a statement ahead of Thursday’s National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, the minister remarked that the agreement is not solely between India and Pakistan, but also involves the World Bank.

Asif warned that any Indian move to exit the treaty would face a strong and unified response from Pakistan. “They’ve been trying to get out of the Indus Water Treaty for a long time,” he said, “but this treaty was signed under the umbrella of the World Bank, and India cannot simply suspend it.”

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He stressed that the agreement’s international backing adds legal weight and prevents one-sided withdrawal. “The World Bank is also involved in the Indus Waters Treaty. India cannot make this decision alone. Pakistan will give a befitting reply to Indian actions,” he said.

Asif added that the government is preparing a comprehensive, well-thought-out reaction to India’s recent actions, including its statements and the controversial decision to halt water sharing under the treaty.

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“There’s a National Security Committee meeting in the morning, and we will address all the remaining issues raised by India,” he said. “Our response will be unified and decisive.”

Linking water dispute to regional tensions

The minister also linked the latest developments to a broader pattern of aggression from New Delhi, particularly in the wake of the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir — which Islamabad has termed a “false flag operation.”

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“Our forces have responded to India before — that is in front of everyone,” Asif stated, referencing past military exchanges and responses to diplomatic escalations.

He also took the opportunity to reiterate that no country has suffered from terrorism as extensively as Pakistan. “No country in the world has been targeted by terrorism as much as Pakistan has been,” Asif said.