Bilawal Bhutto Zardari vows to defend Indus waters

GILGIT: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said Pakistan would defend the Indus River and would not compromise on its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.

Addressing the swearing-in ceremony of Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate, Bilawal said he was grateful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for recognizing the Pakistan Peoples Party’s electoral mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan. He added that the PPP would work with all political parties and ensure opposition members were included in governance.

Bilawal reiterated the party’s commitment to securing constitutional rights for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and said the federal government should ensure the region has representation at the national level.

He also pledged to create an economic environment that generates employment opportunities, promote public-private partnerships in agriculture, and fulfill the PPP’s commitment on land ownership rights.

Commenting on regional security, Bilawal accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of adopting what he described as an “Israel model” after India’s military conflict with Pakistan.

He further alleged that India was attempting to create instability in Pakistan through Afghanistan as well as in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. He did not provide evidence to support the claims.

Bilawal also referred to the recent conflict between Israel and Iran, claiming Israel had unsuccessfully sought to foment internal unrest in Iran after the fighting.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s position on water security, Bilawal said the country would defend the Indus River and would not compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty, adding that Pakistan would protect its water rights under all circumstances.