ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of National Business GroupPakistan, the President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum,the President of All Karachi Industrial Alliance, the Chairman of the FPCCIAdvisory Board, and the President and former provincial minister, Mian ZahidHussain, unequivocally condemned India’s attempts to weaponize watersaying that such actions are not only unacceptable but also pose agrave risk to regional peace. Mian Zahid Hussain warned that the Modi-ledIndian government’s pursuit of unrest, economic imbalance, and politicaldisorder in South Asia is not just a sinister agenda, but a potentialcatastrophe in the making. The consequences of such actions could be disastrous,he emphasized. In a discussion with the businesscommunity, the veteran business leader stated that the recent United Nationsstatement, which underscored the critical importance of equitable distributionof natural resources in line with mutual agreements, is a significantdevelopment in the context of India’s water weaponization. The business leader stressed that theUnited Nations must move beyond symbolic remarks and exert immediate andmeaningful diplomatic pressure on India to stop violating the Indus WatersTreaty and refrain from actions that escalate tensions in the region. He addedthat India’s move to suspend the treaty and threaten to divert Pakistan’srightful share of water to Rajasthan is a provocative and hostile act. It not only breaches internationalagreements but also endangers regional security, agriculture, industry, andecological stability, which could have far-reaching implications for the globalbusiness community. Mian Zahid highlighted that the Modigovernment has been consistently defying UN resolutions on Kashmir. Grave humanrights abuses, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and prolongedcurfews expose India’s real agenda. Now, India has begun treating access towater — a fundamental human right — as a political weapon, which is a dangerousand deplorable development. He made it clear that Pakistan has statedunequivocally that it will not tolerate any injustice, coercion, orexploitation regarding water rights. However, India continues to display astubborn attitude. He warned that the world cannot afford a confrontationbetween two nuclear powers. If India is not restrained through global pressure,this course of action could drag the entire region into a cycle of destruction,famine, and conflict.Mian Zahid further emphasized that Pakistanhas always stood for peace but will never compromise on its sovereignty,survival, or resources. Pakistan will not allow the exploitation of millions ofits farmers. The country has a proud history of defending its land and rightswith courage, and it will continue to take every possible step to secure itsshare of water. He urged the international community torecognize that using or threatening to withhold water as a weapon crosses adangerous red line for global peace, progress, and humanity. This threat mustbe countered decisively. India’s repeated violations of the Indus Waters Treatyalso constitute a breach of the UN Charter and international law governing the use of water resources. The global community’s continued silence and double standardson this matter are highly condemnable.
