Bilawal Issues Strong Warning to India on Indus Waters Dispute

ISLAMABAD (RNN TV) – Former Foreign Minister and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari issued a stern warning to India during the National Assembly’s budget debate on Monday, stating that New Delhi must uphold the Indus Waters Treaty or face serious consequences, including a retaliatory “war through dams and canals.”

Calling India’s suspension of the treaty “illegal” and a violation of the UN Charter, Bilawal declared that any move to block Pakistan’s water supply would force Islamabad to respond decisively. “If India tries to deprive Pakistan of its water share, we will fight — just as we have done before,” he said, adding, “Our forces have defeated India in the past, and we will do so again if necessary.”

He also criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “aggressive posture,” blaming India for “half of the terrorist incidents in Pakistan,” and questioned if Pakistan should retaliate militarily after every attack. “Our narrative is for peace, while Modi’s is for war. But the people of both countries deserve peace,” he said, calling for a lasting solution beyond the current ceasefire.

Bilawal highlighted what he called Pakistan’s “military, diplomatic, and narrative victories” over India, contrasting the current government’s firm stance with the PTI-led response to the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot episode. “Today, we defend our skies and challenge India’s narrative globally,” he asserted.

On Kashmir, he said India’s claim that the issue was an “internal matter” had failed internationally, crediting Pakistan’s diplomacy for renewed global attention.

Middle East: Condemnation of Iran Strikes

Shifting focus to the Middle East, Bilawal strongly condemned reported Israeli and US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling them “a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty.” Comparing the strikes to false-flag justifications used in Iraq, he warned they endangered the region, including Pakistan. He urged the international community to speak out, saying, “If we remain silent today, no one will speak for us tomorrow.”

He also condemned Israel’s ongoing actions in Palestine, calling for accountability and an end to what he termed “brutal expansionism.”

Support for Defence Budget, Regional Security

On domestic matters, Bilawal voiced support for the federal budget for FY2024-25, particularly the 20% hike in the defence budget, stating that Pakistan must “prepare for all eventualities.” He thanked the government for consulting the PPP during the budget process and expressed moderate satisfaction with allocations for salaries and pensions.

However, he criticised the lack of increased PSDP funding for South Punjab, a long-standing PPP demand, though he noted the finance minister had agreed to reconsider it next year.

Bilawal called for enhanced federal support to terrorism-hit provinces like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alleging Indian involvement in unrest there. “We must counter this by strengthening our institutions and developing a robust counter-terrorism strategy,” he concluded.