Islamabad, May 23, 2025
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has vehemently dismissed recent statements by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the potential blockage of water flows to Pakistan, describing such notions as “insane thinking” and “madness.” Instagram+3The News International+3The Express Tribune+3
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry emphasized the impracticality and illegality of halting water supplies to Pakistan, a nation of over 240 million people. “Only a mad person can think that India can stop Pakistan’s water. It is not possible to cut off water for 240 million people,” he stated. Abb Takk News+3The Express Tribune+3Daily Times+3
The controversy stems from India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on April 23, following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. India accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers, an allegation Islamabad has denied. Wikipedia+4Geo News+4Reuters+4Reuters+1Wikipedia+1
Under the 1960 IWT, brokered by the World Bank, India controls the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej), while Pakistan has rights over the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab). The treaty has been a cornerstone of water-sharing between the two nations for decades. Wikipedia+1Geo News+1
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry highlighted that six rivers originate from the disputed Kashmir region, which remains under United Nations resolutions. He asserted that if the people of Kashmir choose to join Pakistan, “all those rivers will belong to us, making India a lower riparian state.” Daily Times+3Geo News+3The News International+3
The DG ISPR also criticized India’s actions as a violation of international norms and human rights. “This is not just a political or military conflict; it’s a battle of truth and principle,” he remarked, urging the international community to recognize the gravity of the situation. Geo News
In response to India’s suspension of the treaty, reports have emerged of unannounced water releases from Indian dams, leading to flooding in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Additionally, satellite imagery has shown significant drying of the Chenab River near Sialkot, raising concerns about potential water shortages. Wikipedia
Pakistan’s government has called upon international bodies to intervene and uphold the provisions of the IWT. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated, “Weaponizing water is a dangerous escalation and sets a perilous precedent for international relations.”The News International+3Business Today+3The Times of India+3
As tensions escalate, both nations have engaged in diplomatic and military posturing. India has reiterated its stance that any engagement with Pakistan must be bilateral and contingent upon Pakistan taking definitive action against cross-border terrorism. The Times of India
The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation if diplomatic channels fail to address the underlying issues. The international community watches closely, urging restraint and dialogue to prevent a humanitarian and environmental crisis in the region.