Pakistan’s anger over the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty grew stronger on Friday. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari issued a fierce warning during a public rally. He declared, "Either our water will flow through it, or their blood will."
Suspension of Treaty Raises Tensions
India and Pakistan had signed the Indus Waters Treaty in September 1960 after years of talks. The treaty controls how both countries share six rivers. Now, with the treaty suspended, Pakistan faces serious risks. The country depends on the Indus for 80% of its farmland water.
Bhutto-Zardari Targets PM Modi
Meanwhile, Bhutto-Zardari sharply criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated that Pakistan and the world would not accept Modi’s "warmongering" or his attempts to seize Pakistan’s water.
Furthermore, Bhutto declared, "He (Modi) says they are heirs to a civilisation thousands of years old, but that civilisation lies in Mohenjo Daro, in Larkana. We are its true custodians, and we will defend it."
Indus Civilisation Belongs to Both Countries
In reality, historians agree that the Indus Valley civilisation covered parts of modern Pakistan and western India. However, Bhutto-Zardari strongly claimed that Pakistan holds its true legacy.
Second Pakistani Leader to Criticize Modi
Moreover, Bhutto-Zardari became the second Pakistani leader to attack PM Modi after the Pahalgam terror attack. Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had also targeted Modi with harsh words.
On the other hand, PM Modi addressed a rally in Bihar earlier this week. He promised to "identify, track and punish" terrorists and their backers. He firmly vowed to "pursue them to the ends of the earth."
Pakistan Rejects Indian Accusations
Finally, Bhutto-Zardari said Pakistan had already condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists. Yet, he accused India of blaming Pakistan to hide its own failures.
He added, "India is unlawfully abrogating the treaty under which it had acknowledged that the Indus belongs to Pakistan."