Pak PM Sharif rakes up India's abeyance of Indus Water Treaty at international platform
'India's unilateral and illegal decision to hold in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty, which governs the sharing of the Indus Basin's water, is deeply regrettable,' Dawn reported quoting Sharif.
Sharif was addressing a three-day International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation in Tajikistan's capital Dushanbe when he raked up the issue of India-Pakistan bilateral Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
Islamabad, May 30 (PTI) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday rejected the 'weaponisation of water' and warned that Pakistan would not allow India to cross the red line by holding the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance and endangering millions of lives for narrow political gains.
'Millions of lives must not be held hostage to narrow political gains, and Pakistan will not allow this. We will never allow the red line to be crossed,' the prime minister told the conference attended by over 2,500 delegates from 80 UN member states and 70 international organisations.
The event is being hosted by the Tajikistan government in collaboration with the United Nations, UNESCO, World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the Asian Development Bank, and other key partners as a historic moment for climate ambition, glacier preservation, and international cooperation.
Sharif's remarks came after India, soon after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, announced abeyance of the IWT among other punitive measures. The IWT was signed in 1960 by the two countries to address the water dispute between them and to share the waters of the six main rivers of the Indus basin.
According to Dawn, Sharif also touched upon all relevant issues, including glacial preservation, Pakistan's climate vulnerability, the 2022 floods in Pakistan, global climate action and responsibility, scientific projections on glacial melt, weaponisation of water and call to protect nature and humanity's shared destiny.
'The world today bears fresh scars from the use of conventional weapons in Gaza that have left deep wounds. As if that were not enough, we are now witnessing an alarming new low—the weaponisation of water,' the prime minister observed.
He added that Pakistan, being home to over 13,000 glaciers, was the most concerned as glaciers contributed nearly half of the annual flows in the Indus river system — 'the lifeline of our civilisation, culture and economy'.
'The five great rivers that shape our geographical landscape—Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej—all depend on the stability of glacial systems. This makes Pakistan one of the most vulnerable countries to any climatic changes that impact glaciers,' he continued.
He told the gathering that Pakistan had faced the peril of glacial melt in the form of devastating floods in 2022 that destroyed millions of acres of standing crops, thousands of houses as well as infrastructure — despite the country contributing only less than half a per cent of the total world's emissions and yet being one of the 10 most vulnerable countries. PTI SH NPK NPK
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
North Korea gaining military edge as Russia seeks war-time supplies
North Korea has been rapidly unveiling new weapons, including AI-guided attack drones, upgraded tanks with electronic warfare features, a new naval destroyer armed with supersonic cruise missiles, and an improved air-defence system. It has also showcased air-to-air missiles and new drone technology. In the past, international sanctions, natural disasters, and the Covid-19 pandemic were thought to have left the North Korea's ageing Soviet-era military incapable of modernisation. But Kim Jong-un found a solution by turning to Russia, which needed weapons and manpower as it continues its military operation in Ukraine, according to a report by The New York Times. Reviving an old alliance As Russia's war in Ukraine dragged on and its resources thinned, North Korea stepped in with large supplies of artillery shells and troops. In return, Russia restarted a Cold War-era treaty of defence and cooperation with North Korea. According to South Korean officials and analysts quoted in the NYT report, this deal has provided North Korea with fuel, food, military materials and technologies to upgrade its forces. They warn that this growing military cooperation could destabilise the Korean Peninsula. New weapons, new opportunities Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and North Korea's economy, the country focused on nuclear weapons while its conventional military remained outdated. In contrast, South Korea, backed by the US and its 28,500 troops, maintained a strong military edge. However, analysts say Russia's need for weapons and manpower has brought about a major shift. North Korea's weapons industry has been revitalised, with Kim now gaining battlefield insights and modern warfare experience. 'North Korea appears to be entering a strategic golden age,' Yang Uk, Seoul's Asan Institute for Policy Studies, told NYT. Support for Russia in Ukraine Russia has also benefited. Though kept secret at first, Russian military officials later confirmed that North Korean troops helped Russian forces push back Ukrainians in the Kursk region. South Korean intelligence believes around 15,000 North Korean troops have entered Russia. North Korea has supplied millions of artillery shells and missiles. The two countries are also working together to develop drones. The cooperation has strengthened Vladimir Putin's position in both the Ukraine conflict and international diplomacy. In September 2023, Kim visited Russia's Far East, where he toured a space launch centre, aircraft factory, and military bases. South Korean analysts believe he made a 'bucket list' of technologies he wanted. The relationship deepened when Kim invited Putin to Pyongyang last June. Soon after, North Korean troops reportedly began flowing into Russia. Testing troops in real battles Dmitri Kuznets, an analyst with Meduza, said North Korean troops helped retake two villages in the Kursk region. However, the exact scale of their involvement remains debated, according to him. Valery Shiryaev, a Russian military analyst, wrote on Telegram that real battlefield experience was important for Kim. 'All of them are getting an incredible experience now and will come back as real veterans,' he said. 'There are no such people in the South Korean Army, which undoubtedly fills Kim Jong-un with pride.' Analysts have observed aircraft and ships carrying military technology from Russia to North Korea. Kim has increased visits to weapons factories and overseen several weapons tests. In March, he watched the launch of an anti-aircraft missile system, suggesting Russian help in updating the North's air defences. He also viewed AI-powered attack drones. Experts say that just improving drone capabilities would help reduce the conventional weapons gap with South Korea. New naval power In April, Kim and his daughter Kim Ju-ae attended the launch of North Korea's first naval destroyer, the "Choe Hyon". He later observed its missile tests. One of the missiles resembled Russia's nuclear-capable 3M22 Zircon cruise missile. Kim also confirmed that a nuclear-powered submarine was being developed. In early May, Kim visited a tank factory and announced that outdated armoured vehicles were being replaced. He later praised a fourfold increase in artillery shell production — an important export to Russia. He also observed a MiG-29 fighter jet firing an air-to-air missile, a stark contrast from the days when the North could barely fly due to fuel and spare part shortages. According to Lee Sung-joon, a South Korean military spokesperson, many of North Korea's new weapons indicate direct Russian assistance. Evading sanctions through Russia The UN has banned arms trade with North Korea. However, cooperation with Russia has helped Pyongyang bypass sanctions and get the technology it needs, according to a report from the Institute for National Security Strategy. Nevertheless, there is doubt over how much sensitive technology Russia is willing to share. North Korea has repeatedly failed to launch military satellites. A nuclear-powered submarine would require a compact reactor — something Moscow may hesitate to provide. 'It's the most dangerous weapon North Korea has unveiled so far,' said Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification. Even if Russia never gives that final piece of technology, the possibility alone gives Kim more leverage. North Korean state media has already shown part of what it claimed was a nuclear submarine under construction.
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Bangladeshi tribunal to hear charges against deposed PM Hasina on Sunday, to be shown live on state television
However, the decision of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) to allow live streaming is set to break the tradition in the case of Hasina, who could face the death penalty on the charges brought against her. Ousted on August 5 last year after a massive student-led agitation, Hasina faces multiple cases in Bangladesh courts that have so far debarred photography or telecast of trial proceedings against her. Dhaka, May 31 (PTI) Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal is set to formally hear charges against deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday allowing state-run BTV to broadcast live the event, a first such instance in the country's history. The three-judge ICT-BD on February 18 ordered the investigation against Hasina to be completed by April. 'The prosecution will submit formal charges against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina at the ICT-BD tomorrow in a case filed over crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising,' the state-run BSS said. Hasina's Awami League regime was ousted in after mass protests led by a platform called Students against Discrimination (SAD) on August 5, 2024; three days later Muhamad Yunus took charge as Cief Adviser of the interim government. ICT-BD prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim told reporters that the tribunal's proceedings would start at 9.30 am local time and that the official Bangladesh Television (BTV) has been asked to broadcast the proceedings live. 'The entire nation will witness the submission of the first formal charges to the tribunal against influential figures of the ousted Awami League government, including Sheikh Hasina,' Gazi said, adding that the move would 'ensure transparency in the judicial process'. ICT-BD's chief prosecutor Mohammad Tajul Islam said the tribunal would simultaneously hear charges against former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, both in jail to stand trial. This tribunal was originally formed by the past regime to try hardened collaborators of Pakistani troops during the 1971 Liberation War. Six top leaders of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and one leader of the former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) were hanged to death after they were convicted by the court. The ICT-BD earlier issued an arrest warrant against Hasina while the interim government sought her repatriation from India in a diplomatic note. New Delhi has only acknowledged receipt with no further comment. Most senior leaders and officials of Hasina's party and government were arrested to face charges like mass murders to tame the protestors during the July-August violence when hundreds of people, including students and policemen were killed. According to a UN rights office report some 1,400 people were killed between July 15 and August 15 last year as violence continued even after the fall of the past regime. PTI AR NPK NPK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Nations No Longer Expect Pakistan To Come Knocking With A Begging Bowl: Shehbaz Sharif
Last Updated: While addressing the armed forces in Quetta, Shehbaz Sharif called upon the people of Pakistan to make maximum use of the country's natural resources. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday stated that the international community no longer expects Islamabad to approach them with a begging bowl, noting that he and Field Marshal Asim Munir will be the last to shoulder this responsibility. While addressing the armed forces in Quetta, Sharif called upon the people of Pakistan to make maximum use of the country's natural resources. 'They (International Community) don't expect us to come with a begging bowl. I am the last person, along with field Marshal Munir, to carry this burden on our shoulders," said Sharif. 'We must make full use of natural resources and deploy them for these positive ventures." '…(intl community) Doesn't expect us to come with a begging bowl. I am the last person, along with the field Marshal Munir to carry this burden on my shoulder…' says Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif as he calls for usage of Pakistani natural resourcesVdo Ctsy: Pak media — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) May 31, 2025 Sharif Calls China 'Time-Tested Friend' The Pakistani Prime Minister described China as a 'time-tested" friend and noted that partner nations now expect Islamabad to engage with them through trade and economic cooperation. 'China is the most time-tested friend of Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is the most reliable, trustworthy friend of Pakistan. Also, Turkey, Qatar and UAE," he said. 'Let me make this point abundantly clear, they expect us to engage us to engage them in trade, commerce, innovation, research and development, education, health, investments in profitable ventures," he further added. First Published:
