Pakistan will destroy any structure India builds to stop water flow: defence minister

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned India on Friday that it would strike if it attempts to construct any structure to block the flow of water into Pakistan in violation of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

“If they attempt to construct such a type of structure, we will strike it and destroy it,” the Defence Minister said while speaking on a private news outlet in response to a question of whether Pakistan will strike first if India attempts to divert or stop the flow of water from western rivers.

India had taken several measures, including putting the long-standing IWT in abeyance after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir, which killed 26 people. 

Asif said that stopping water will be an act of aggression against Pakistan. “Aggression is not only carried out through artillery shells or gunfire. It has many types and phases. [Stopping the water] is also a phase of aggression. Such actions can lead nations to die from hunger and thirst,” he explained.

However, in the same breath, Asif said, “But for now, we are heading to forums available to us, starting from the Indus Waters Treaty. We will pursue this matter.”

In response to a question about the risk of war between Pakistan and India, Asif asserted that it cannot be said that the threat of war has been averted or reduced. “India had also responded 12 days later in 2019,” he added.

Regarding the accusation of Pakistan's involvement in the Pahalgam attack, Asif stated that India has failed to provide any concrete evidence. “Not even a shred of evidence has been placed before the international opinion or international community,” he said.

On being asked to comment on US Vice President JD Vance’s recent statement, “Our hope here is that India responds to this terrorist attack in a way that doesn’t lead to a wider regional conflict,” the security czar said, “As per my interpretation, Vance has left room for India for face saving.”

When the host questioned, “What if India, for face-saving attempts to make such a move [strike] like Balakot?” he responded, “We will blacken its face.”

JD Vance in an interview with FOX News on Thursday stated, “We hope frankly that Pakistan, to the extent that they are responsible, cooperate with India to make sure the terrorists, sometimes operating in their territory, are hunted down and dealt with. That’s how we hope this unfolds.”