“If India blocks Indus River water, we will teach it a lesson” : Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif threatens India!

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif

Islamabad (Pakistan) – “The enemy (India) cannot snatch a single drop of water from Pakistan. If India attempts to block the water flowing to Pakistan, it will be a violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. You had earlier threatened to stop our water supply. If you try to do so, Pakistan will teach you a lesson you will never forget,” threatened Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He further said, “The Indus River is Pakistan’s lifeline, and under international agreements, the country’s rights will not be compromised.” He made these remarks while addressing a public event.

What is the Indus Waters treaty?

The Indus River system comprises 6 rivers — Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Its basin covers approximately 1.12 million sq. km., with 47% of the land in Pakistan, 39% in India, 8% in China, and 6% in Afghanistan. Around 300 million people live in this region.

Disputes over sharing the river waters began even before the Partition of India in 1947, particularly between Punjab in India and Sindh in Pakistan. At that time, Indian and Pakistani engineers reached a ‘Standstill Agreement’ under which Pakistan continued receiving water through two main canals. This agreement lasted until 31^st March 1948. On 1^st April 1948, when the agreement lapsed, India stopped water supply through both canals, which devastated agriculture on 1.7 million acres in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

Subsequent negotiations led India to resume water supply. From 1951 to 1960, discussions on water sharing were held between India and Pakistan under the mediation of the World Bank. Finally, on 19^th September 1960, in Karachi, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan signed the Indus Waters Treaty.

On 24^th April 2025, India annulled this treaty following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

Editorial Perspective

Pakistan knows well that India does not bow to such hollow threats, yet such statements are made to impress its own people and project importance at home.