Pakistan voices concern over manipulation of flow of Chenab River by India: FO

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan has expressed serious alarm over India’s manipulation of water flows in the Chenab River, warning that such actions could have far-reaching consequences.

Speaking at his weekly press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan’s Indus Water Commissioner has formally approached his Indian counterpart through a written communication, seeking an explanation in line with the mechanisms provided under the Indus Waters Treaty.

He underscored that any interference with river flows by India, particularly at a sensitive stage of Pakistan’s agricultural season, poses a direct threat to the lives and livelihoods of millions, while also endangering the country’s food security and broader economic stability.

The spokesperson urged India to promptly respond to Pakistan’s concerns, avoid any unilateral actions affecting shared rivers, and strictly adhere to its commitments under the Indus Waters Treaty, both in letter and spirit.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s long-standing position, Tahir Andrabi said the Indus Waters Treaty is a legally binding international accord that has served as a cornerstone for peace, security, and stability in the region for decades.

He warned that any breach of the treaty not only undermines the sanctity of international agreements and respect for international law, but also risks destabilizing regional peace, violating principles of good neighbourliness, and eroding norms that govern relations between states.

The FO spokesperson added that while Pakistan remains committed to resolving disputes with India through peaceful means, it will not compromise on what he described as the fundamental water rights of its people.

He said Pakistan would exercise all available options to ensure that its water supplies are not curtailed, and stressed that the use of water as a tool of coercion would constitute a blatant violation of international law

The FO spokesperson also strongly condemned an incident in India’s Bihar state, where a Muslim woman’s hijab was forcibly removed by the chief minister. He said such an act risks normalizing the public humiliation of Muslim women and reflects a disturbing disregard for the rights and dignity of religious minorities in India, particularly Muslims.

"The incident is emblematic of a wider and troubling trend linked to Hindutva-driven politics. He called on the Indian authorities to acknowledge the gravity of the matter, safeguard minority rights, uphold religious freedom, and ensure respect for human dignity," the statement said.

Responding to a question about the latest report by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Tahir Andrabi said it validates Pakistan’s repeated warnings to the Afghan Taliban authorities and the international community regarding the continued presence of terrorist elements in Afghanistan.

The FO spokesperson noted that the report’s findings align with Pakistan’s official stance that such groups pose a serious threat to regional peace and security, and expressed hope that the message would resonate clearly in capitals around the world.