ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday strongly rejected India’s reported plan to construct a river-linking project aimed at diverting water from the Chenab River to the Beas River, terming it a “grave violation” of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and relevant international legal frameworks.
FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, while addressing the weekly media briefing, said Pakistan has “all options available” to safeguard its water rights and national interests under the treaty.
He stated that India has neither officially communicated nor consulted Pakistan regarding the proposed projects, adding that such unilateral actions reflect an attempt to “weaponise water,” with serious implications for regional peace, economic stability, and international security.
Referring to reports and public tender documents issued in India, the spokesperson said the proposed Chenab–Beas Link Tunnel Project reportedly aims to divert around 1.9 million acre-feet of water annually from the Chenab River into the Beas River system.
He said such inter-basin water transfers violate not only the Indus Waters Treaty but also broader principles of international water law, including provisions of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties and the UN Convention on Watercourses (1997).
Andrabi also expressed concern over another reported project involving silt flushing of the Salal Dam reservoir in Reasi district of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, saying it could enhance water control capabilities not permitted under existing bilateral agreements.
He said Pakistan has consistently exercised restraint and remains committed to dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes, but warned that such developments risk further destabilising South Asia.
Calling on the international community, the FO urged pressure on India to avoid actions that could disrupt downstream water flows guaranteed under the treaty and to ensure full compliance with its obligations.
Separately, the spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s position on the Abraham Accords, stating that Islamabad’s stance remains unchanged and is linked to the establishment of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital based on pre-1967 borders.
He also rejected what he described as “baseless and speculative” reports suggesting that Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister shared intelligence with the United States regarding Iran, clarifying that discussions were limited to regional peace and diplomatic engagement.
The spokesperson added that Pakistan continues to support diplomatic solutions for regional conflicts, including Afghanistan, and welcomed constructive international efforts aimed at promoting stability and dialogue.
Story by Naveed Siddiqui
